Poetry

Freedom from Slavery

True confession and an apology

We are enjoying freedom from slavery

Since 70 years

This land is ours we claim it is

But… is it really ours?

We are indeed… free in all sense of the word

Because we can do what we want without any fear

We can blow horn where the sign reads ‘do not blow’

We can jump the red signal because we are too vain to obey

We dare

We dig the roads when they are ready because a pipe has to be laid

Or

A tent has to be erected for some religious function

 It could also be a ‘ hartal’… astrike

 For no particular reason

 But because it is our right … a ‘Gandhi (an)’ gift

To draw attention and defeat the greased rails

You see, it is our freedom to do what we want

The street corners and walls can be used as toilet grounds

Or better still to spit and foul… it is our freedom

Our constitutional right

We are not slaves anymore

This is a free… democratic country

Where rules and regulations are made to be broken

Why should anyone obey?

Our morals and values are not set at an early age

We ignore the rights of others

We feel proud about the fact

We can… and always do justify our acts of disobedience

Yes we do… it is our pride

This country could have grown

In leaps and bounds years and years ago

By population control

Strict laws and orders, not to be ignored or broken

 All public offences punished, not forgiven

Our national character is lost

Those in high places do not set precedence

Might is right, might is power

Material prosperity has rocked the nation

 The sails are up to steer or upturn

The course of this ideal nation

The land of spiritual uplift

That we boast of

All hail

                                                            ~Shobha Diwakar

                                                            Jabalpur, India

 

2 Comments

  1. It’s a poem depicting what’s really going on in our beautiful country. Too may law breakers seem to be around as they aren’t scared of anything. They feel freedom means doing what one wishes to without giving a thought to it’s result/ effect on other peoples’ life. Hopefully we will be able to wade out of this quagmire soon. Our beautiful Motherland needs to get back all her honour that she has lost over a long period of time due to the misdoings of a few. Jai Hind

  2. O K R Sivagnanam

    We are very much happy to deviate from the settled law of the land;
    And we don’t feel sorry for the mistakes committed knowingly!
    No fear of punishments either!
    Not having the courtesy to ask for pardon, considering it a prick on our ego!
    These are all the results of misunderstood freedom!
    At least after seventy years of having attained the independence, let us try to learn the real import of FREEDOM!