democarcy
joint secretary's message was loud and clear
it was the natural outcome of experience of years
it had been vouchsafed throughout by writers
that person will call the tune who pays the piper
we will call the shots 'cos we give you the bread
your duty is just to concur and nod your head
his anger was genuine, his tone was proper
he was indeed shocked by response improper
desperately the chief secretary tried to explain
we have since changed the rules of the game
gratitude is not the natural outcome of charity
subservience does not follow lack of parity
times have changed, poor are no longer meek
give them their due and then touch their feet
if you are giving something, it is our duty to give
if they take it, it is their right to accept the gift
under new rules you pay us, we spite you
you feed us the goodies, we bite you
it is really so simple, the result of new dispensation
you need us, not we you, that is the consideration
no one will blame you if all this appears crazy
this new farce goes by the name of democracy.
august 31, 1995
(i do not remember what was the provocation for this poem. i was the chief secretary of course and the joint secretary was an officer incensed by the comments of the local student leaders. the exact occasion is not recalled.)