together

One Night While Driving

the moon was an ally gazing down fondly

lighting up your mane into million stars
the soft glow of the interiors a soothing cocoon
the darkness around a shielding ally

tires caressing the snaking road
headlights searching the dark solitude 
purring engine penetrating the calm
intruding briefly into the peace

whispered chattering in the background receding
sideways look catching a longing stare
the hand on the gear shaft is embraced
a lifelong connection speeding into the morn.

We ponder, they pander.

Straightfaced lies or true belief
Can millions believe a blatant lie
Or is the spine so curved as can develop scoliosis
What if one's exasperation is unfounded
Maybe the truth is as they suggest
So why smirk!
How about an inviolate truth which they feel
Which the poor they can suitably not expound
What if we masses - okay delete the m -
Lack profound insight/understanding
Suppose what they are doing aren't coverups
But lofty determination of the country's aims and goals
They wear Nehru jackets and don dark suits
And most are highly educated too
There - I've run up a headache playing devil's advocate
To the spokespersons defending their party's causes.

I've kicked, punched, scratched, and berated myself to death
For not believing a word uttered by these worthies
Maybe its my desire masquerading as hope
Of a world of honor and truth
And while I'm pondering over rambling thoughts
They try hard to pander to a distrustful constituency
Votes over self esteem.

Deeds of Shame

Winter seeps into the Indian hinterland

Breaching the darkness of the summer's scams

Democracy's bastion is being sieged

By influential termites stacking their nests.

Shrieking cries of freedom, we prop up our governments

Smugly gloating over trampled rights in the neighborhood

Wondering why so few backslap us our so called achievement

Chagrined that no one else appreciates our oft-quoted "worlds largest democracy."

So we bellow louder and louder to knowing deaf ears

In a land where stealing food lands you behind bars for 3 months

And looting crores gets you the cream of the bar and a party ticket

- and respect of your peers.

Can any amount of chest thumping grudge cold statistics

Of child mortality worse than Sub-Saharan Africa

Or the unnaturally skewed man/woman ratio and myriad other horrifics.

A true homeland deifies equality, honesty, and pride in oneself

But alas!

What built our founder fathers by sweat and blood

We corrode away by deeds of shame.