Our democracy is of Olympian proportions, <br />Basking in glory under a thousand suns; <br />Painted faces and political distortions, <br />She has had a long run. <br /> <br />I talk of freedom and freedom galore; <br />Fundamental rights and constitutional duties, <br />Of fame and fortune, wealth and more, <br />Of foreign hands and misconceived treaties. <br /> <br />Of hunger and famine, and frolicking farmers, <br />And superb public distribution systems; <br />Democracy played with familiar drama, <br />By jokers and chokers in our political system. <br /> <br />Whether fiscal or monetary blessings <br />Deals the land that feeds the masses, <br />High rises and dilapidated dwellings; <br />Alfresco toilets and shauchalya passes. <br /> <br />Chaotic, quixotic, managing crisis; <br />Administered, ministered, ministers talking; <br />Wheeling-dealing, and breaking news analysis; <br />Of ingenuity, brazenness, fifteen minutes shocking. <br /> <br />Spinning yarns that shape our cultural stance, <br />Examples of deeds that surmount belief; <br />This country has had its romance, <br />With loving masters, and beauteous grief. <br /> <br />Poison ivy; dhatura; bring it on! <br />Serious facades that fill the belly, <br />Compromise; shed all; wear masks; or fawn; <br />Watch this all on Indian telly! <br /> <br />“A tree is known by its fruits, ” tis said; <br />And so cultured are we, I say. <br />There’s no truth better than being led, <br />to believe, we deserve to live another day. <br /> <br />Copyright © SC <br />23rd March 2008 <br />Mumbai<br /><br />Subroto Chatterjee<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cultured-2/
