THE WALL
Theme:
In this poem, I have tried to depict the difference in our lives and those who
are living in a slum near our hostel. The view through the window of my room is
so natural that it has prompted me to scribble down few lines on the lives of
these people who indirectly constitute the sphere of our lives. I admit that we
are dependent on tech toys as well as on them for our works. Now the question
is that how much are we doing, on our part, to help them? Their contrasting
life and the natural way of living inspire me to observe their activities
through the grill of my window. It is a pity to think just on them and not
being able to do anything for them. Through this composition, I would like you
all to look down on the deprived section of the society and help them to lead a
life that they dream of. Remember, no help rendered goes in vain. Let’s all
pledge to lend helping hands to them who need them the most and transform this
planet into a wonderful place to live symbiotically.
The wall, that wall
Not the wall of
China
That ordinary wall
Standing tall and upright.
The wall of our hostel’s
periphery,
The wall-6 feet tall
And of pale pink in color.
That wall encompassing
Our tiny world
And separating theirs.
The wall stands on
The interface of the
difference
Based on the economy.
The prevalent poverty
Peeps through the crevices.
Some primitive settlements
Being made on its opposite
Side in contrast to ours.
What an irony!!
Where there is everything
There lies nothing.
Our priorities are in
Opposition to those.
Where becoming successful
And famous are our dreams,
And theirs, arranging
The basic needs-
Food, clothing and
settlement-
Whichever it may be
Even just a feeble tent
Will serve the purpose
Of a temporary settlement.
Their simplicity and punctuality
Are what make me awe-struck.
The commotions of the slum
children
During their merry making
Breaks the silence of the
ambiance.
Those blue colored tents
So carelessly planted, sway
With even faintest breeze,
But still in its place.
The mother’s lullaby
Puts the infant in deep
sleep.
The whispers deep from her
core
Wrapped up with her
Intensified emotions,
Float in the air
Even after the song is over,
Mesmerizing few unnoticed
Listeners like me.
We- the dependent folks
Captivated by the tech toys,
The alarm tone from the
mobiles
Wakes us from slumber.
For them, the nature is
The alarm tone
And the brightness of the day
-the watch and dial.
Where accuracy has no meaning
For them but for us
It is one of the
Parameters of the cut-throat
race
Or say rat race.
How contrasting are our
lives!
Even inhabiting the same
space
With unequal opportunities,
Separated by that wall,
Yes, that 6-feet tall
Pink colored wall.
23.08.2013
Swati Sarangi
