Bargain

I’ve seen
 many men of lesser quality
 rise upwards
 and have immense influence
 on the people around
 and many others of best quality
 fall down
 under the excuse of recession
 when job is badly appraised
 and responsibility blindly assessed
 and salary adversely reduced.

A nude man
 barely in skin
 shies from people
 tries to hide everything
 so many secrets
 fears to share with others
 the poor chap letting no chance to disclose
 what he has, what not
 but poor in the effort
 he wears all that he has
 the skin covers him all over.

The politicians
 first woo the people
 then the parties, leaders and independents
 to make a government at the Centre
 they refresh the old promises of road, clothes and house
 and add to give the power, control economy and guarantee security
 And bucks
 to the fellow politicians
 and creamy posts to some, ministries to the others
 but people always find themselves
 on the margin
 once the vote is over
 they are again in the queue
 waiting for the next hustings
 when they would get the chance
 to teach them once more
 what pain it is
 to go back from the words
 while the parties enjoy
 the deal they gain.
 Should each of us not flung a party and bargain
 road, clothes, house, power, economy and security?
 A one billion party will be a fine idea.

Khurshid Alam