A Procession Of Jubilation! Poem by RAJ NANDY
A Procession Of Jubilation!
A PROCESSION OF JUBILATION!
When I had set out for the market the other
day,
I saw a procession of jubilation on my way!
Piped music and drums with smiling men on
the road,
When suddenly I saw the dead body which
followed!
Curious, I asked them the meaning of all this? !
A ‘scheduled class’ sweeper had died amongst
our midst!
They are celebrating his release from the bondage
of ‘lower birth’ and curse,
Hoping, that now he will be 'reborn' into some
‘upper caste’!
I thought of Gandhi, Ambedkar, and the Indian
Constitution, -
About which the dead man perhaps had no
notion!
Our politicians speak of upliftment and ‘quotas’
every day,
To win their votes on our democratic election day!
Our dead sweeper must have cleaned our roads,
pavements and society floors,
With the sweep of his broom, cleanliness followed!
About ‘rebirth’, - I am neither certain or sure,
This earthly life one must live and endure!
Marriage and funeral processions form a part of
our life,
The former begins a story of hope, while the later
asks the question why?
- Raj Nandy
- New Delhi
- 15 Oct 08
Raj, this is something we see everday, but you have given a new meaning to it. your poems always speak of your compassion, astuteness and wisdom. who knows about rebirth, i learnt today, there is no birth or death, only change in the form of manifestation, which happens when the right conditions take place. i am quite intigued by this insight. a poet with great social consciousness- that's you. 10 Mamta
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4/28/2024 7:00:26 AM # 1.0.0.1119
dear raj.....we are in a society ridden with beliefs and superstitions.though i strongly believe in rebirth and karma, what happens on the other side is not known, except our deeds should be good which makes our destiny.for a poor man or a rich man death is a great equaliser.for social awareness even poets have a role to play, and i am glad you are doing it.my best wishes to you. affly ritty