Wednesday, 31 October 2018

Right bargain, one can’t ignore


Worked on a drastic decision,

for entire week no food intake

to feel d’ true pinch of hunger,

to repent for d’ awful mistake

Got equated with a scavenger,

his moral values dipped down

hired a suite in Cliff view hotel,

and booked a cab to Cape town

His incredible photography,

showed a vulture’s patience

with a paramount attention,

d’ creature stood motionless

Much longer than usual wait,

such was d’ sense of purpose

till kid takes her last breathe,

and turns in to lifeless corpse

A milestone visibly erected,

in wide field of photography

photo reporter Calvin Carter,

received the Pulitzer trophy

D' South African journalist,

went to Sudan on expedition

In the famine struck country,

people perished of starvation

Scope to snap several photos,

captured sensitive situations

young vibrant photographer,

for career an amazing passion


Not proud to get such award,

derived no pleasure out of it

his hunting mind forced him,

to pass several sleepless nights
An outstanding photo artist,

in d' photo journalism history

d' triumph of a striking award,

didn't wish to celebrate victory
In news channels, networks,

famine was d’ topic of debate

in an interview tried to narrate,

the child’s catastrophic state

Vulture waited for a long span, 

but his work schedule, too tight

 admirably over, d' photo session,

he rushed fast to catch d' flight

What ensued to the kid next,

had no answer, to be offered

he had no time to stay back,

to witness the entire episode
D’ interviewer firmly briefed,

two vultures were there

in d’ tragic story

One waited to devour d’ kid

other with a camera in hand,

left in a hurry

He heard this, went to shock,

dejected for having no pity

to achieve a lofty objective,

no right to ignore humanity

Camera held hands didn’t lift,

d’ kid to a UN feeding centre

the child would have survived,

even if he received no honour
Misty cliffs, a favoured spot
for a suicide, ensures a death
high cliffs with rocky landing,
chosen with care, had firm faith
Made up mind, steadily moved,

to top of d’ ragged uneven rock

jumped off in to d’ calm lagoon

to hit stony floor with big knock


Work’s a means to live a life,

a dying kid’s life equally dear

could have saved his own life,

right bargain, one can’t ignore

Thursday, 25 October 2018

A charity wrapped with dignity


Went closer, casually asked

how much u sell d’ eggs for?
feeble old egg seller replied,

Rs.5/- each ma’m, not more
She put it straight, as a deal,

half a dozen I wish to buy

consider a little cut in price,

twenty five rupees I’ll pay
Didn’t sell single egg today,

okay ma’m, I ought to agree

pay me as you’ve bargained,

with five eggs, let one be free



Might get more buyers now on,

may be it’s a bright beginning

my petty business will bloom

add up to my today’s earning

Victorious in d’ bargain done,

moved ahead with egg packet

wished to compliment herself

got in to her fancy car and left


For a treat to her bosom friend,

car halted at a posh restaurant

menu scanned, starters ordered,

main course must be excellent

Leisurely ate a little, left a lot

of their choicest ordered stuff

casually saw hefty bill of 1855

swapped debit card to pay it off
Kept a 200Rs note in bill folder,

tips for satisfying service given

got up, victoriously walked out

without a little bit of hesitation
A needy person selling eggs,

scarcely entails any attention

it never pinches d’ conscience

with utmost delight it’s done

Bills included service charge,

for show shake, fat tips given

but unkind to poor egg seller,

bargaining competence shown
Unduly liberal to hotel boy,

not a truly genius generosity

it’s no welfare but show off,
charity wrapped with dignity

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

I never know, don’t remember

I could never know

when I turned aged,

how did d’ time pass

In the race of life,

it steadily slipped out

as sand in an hourglass

Kids sitting on shoulders,

now grown up,

up to level of my shoulder

journey started

from a rented house

I never know, when I've

become a building owner
Gasping for breath then

to paddle a bicycle to office

I never know when

in my own car I started

enjoying long drives

Then I was evidently
a liability to my parents

now answerable to my children
I could never know
when things abysmally altered
how my accountability did happen

Era of sound sleep's over,

even during day time

now only sleepless nights

I could never know how

sleep trickily vanished 
from my tired eyes

Black money gatherers,

foe of the nation,

once I totally disliked

my accumulated wealth

I never know since when 
changed its hue from black to white

Once running from pillar to post

 for a respectable job,

couldn't pay attention

could never know

when so close came d' day

 of my superannuation

Then busy in earning, saving

for my kids, for d’ family

when the kids got so distant,

separated from me, 
know not

might be known to God only

I believed in full family once,

awaited support of each member

how lost their association

d' number reduced to only two

I never know, don’t remember


Wednesday, 17 October 2018

Decision making’s tough, cynical



Shocked to see, too perturbed,

gave pensive look again and again

d’ ensuing disaster can he avert?,

looming ahead a racing train



A flock of boys busy playing,

on 2 railway tracks passing on

one in use for running trains,

other long back abandoned

Only one on the unused track,

running, jumping and giggling

rest all on d’ operational line,

oblivious of  his solo playing

The onlooker had instant impulse,

to pull d’ lever of track interchange

it could save the bunch of boys,

d’ course of the train will change


A single child to be foregone,

to save most of d’ innocent kids

but who’s he to decide d’ event?,

later on how to defend his deeds

Took long breath, paused to think,

let the train pass on its own way

whatever destined, let it happen,

won’t alter, it’s not a child’s play


D’ lone kid made right decision,

chose to play on d’ unused track

he pondered it to be fully safe,

no occasion ever to look back

It was much beyond his belief,

on unused line train could come!

unlike his ignorant playmates,

a safe location he had chosen


How to wilfully sacrifice him,

for interest of foolish majority

d’ lone kid took right decision,

how to ignore showing no pity

If train rerouted to such a track,

lives of all on board, be at stake!

track might have been discarded,

as it’s damaged, unfit and unsafe


D’ attempt to save d’ foolish kids

might end up in killing hundreds

a hasty decision to save few souls

won’t be the right decision made

Hasty decision not always right,

what's right isn't always popular

what's popular isn't always right

decision making’s tough, cynical