Marketing Poverty
Under the protection of a parked Tanga
A homeless family of five enjoyed their tea
As I walked through small shops on road
With a few hutments but no shade of a tree
I used to feel fortunate to have a shelter
Caring parents and my modest school
But I never looked down upon the homeless
Whose circumstances were not so cool
When I grew up I read International Journalists
Becoming rich by selling poverty of others
I was disturbed and wanted to know
How could they do it to their human brothers
My recent Walk hundred feet down my tower
In a city of US the super power
With Scattered belongings on the footpath
I saw homeless under a flyover
I was compelled to contemplate
Urban poverty was also a reality there
How my country’s poor were a Novelty
That their journalists market everywhere
Look at India’s contribution in US economy
Their space sector and software
Without the brains from all over the world
They could never have been there
Poverty is a subject of sensitivity
To be dealt with compassion
It is insensitive to market it as creativity
World offers so much to fuel creative passion
University Streets then and Now
Walking down the streets from home
to the MIT’s main dome
In the winter of nineteen eighty-four
With some croissant and coffee on the go
I noted hustle and bustle on the roads
The cars, buses, students with book loads
No PCs, No tablets, no mobiles and internet
No Facebook or twitter had arrived as yet
Everyone worked on the mainframe computer
And interact in offices on all the matters
There was a belonging to each other
Even a visiting scholar was like a brother
Now I saw a changed Harvard Square
Skateboard players were no more there
I also missed the juggling skills
All the stress in the world it kills
Also I see the new generation
In Berkeley California on my vacation
Walking light alone interacting on mobile
But I miss the energetic youth’s smile
I missed Young people walking in groups
Even the shops had deserted looks
We lost the flocks of young people
The carefree talks and resonating ripples
The physical loads might have reduced
But isn’t the brain a bit overused
The scholars then were full of life
Now I note a bit too much of strife
Family and Friends
Everyone has a role to make us better
To be a good human is what matters
All sugary can make us sick
We must beware of such tricks
The advice that leaves a sour taste
Remind us life is not there to waste
And those unbearable tangy taunts
Warn us ahead of slopes and slants
The sincere most feed bitter pill
Dealing with the envious gives us thrill
And the deceitful that made us stray
Teach us to pause and find our way
And those who use us like a step
Give us a learning experience so apt
Also we remember those from distant past
Who after giving few directions were lost
And those who give dreadful jitters
Strengthen the resolve not to be quitters
The role models always inspire
And provide us spark in stomach to fire
What is life without family and friends
Where is the hope without the bend
Family and friends are with us all along
In challenges of life that make us strong
Inspire Positivity 