At the Polling Booth

NIRANJANA MISHRA

Of the world’s largest democracy
its most glorious past and inglorious present
shining future
its voting procedure
consequent failure;
of the promises of our men
touching the Mount Everest
and their performances
Sing Poetic Muse!

I like
To muse upon such a theme
never thought by Milton or Vyas
nor attempted in Free Verse.
Mine is ninety nine by seventy four
only two days for zero hour
Sudden visit of a Government Officer
makes me somewhat bored
Here I am, the presiding officer
to obey only the Government order
other wise great headache will fall
I have to lose all.

Seven O’clock. Thus the day breaks
see the ballot box. Note the paper seal
only address tag and nothing to conceal.

The voters came
like swarm of bees
or like men
Purchasing black cinema tickets

The posters of the hen,
ship, cross or something else­
who will save us
from this quagmire
of poverty and unemployment?

Eager is the blind for his vote,
Eager is the rich and lame for his vote,
Eager is the fat lady for her vote
Eager is the 18 years old boy for his vote,
Mishra, Pattnaik, Laxmipati
All are eager for their votes.

Thus muttered an angry youth,
“Choosing between candidates
just like between liver cancer
and blood cancer
A Ram Rajya is what we desire”.

Men may come & Men may go
we will repeat this system;
An exemplary state
we will create
you can’t fathom”.