Normalcy

Landlines are up.
Normalcy is on the way.
Soon other things will follow,
As they learn to obey.

Schools are open too.
The children may not be there,
But no normalcy can be lasting
Without an element of fear.

The trust of the people will be won
Through propagation.
And, if that does not work,
Through the pellet gun.

Any child would scream
When his toys are destroyed;
So, having lost status, they
May not be overjoyed.

But they will see how normalcy
Will leave them unencumbered
When their burdens are lessened
By being out-numbered.

The land and the forests—
They are our eternal pride;
People come and go,
The nation must abide.

Badri Raina