Tongue-Discipline Poem by Ahamad Ilyaas Vilayathullah

(By Veerankutty)


Made lists of the noisy in classes and got them caned regularly

Kept mum wherever was found written: Keep Mum

Got disciplined enough at the warning: Do not shout

Heard the speech
"Chatterboxes and Patriotism" several times

Hung on the wall the image of thosewho commanded:
Keep mum and mind your business

Practiced the special yoga regularly for disciplining the tongue

Habituated silence as a ritual fast

Now the skill of keeping patience at whatever seen or heardis exclusively the tongue's

Didn't spare any opportunity to escape with silence as a personal gift and charm

Now remaining silent that even the dumb envy

Life isabsolutely comfy now

Not at all affected by fear that raising dissident voices will ensue death in revenge

The only inconvenience is this:
There lies across in the mouth a piece of meat, not cooked enough, that can't be chewed and swallowed, nor spat out..