Democracy Poem by anujan raja

Poem 3—DEMOCRACY

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I live in a democracy,

They say I have huge rights

I am the master

And they are my servants.



I am just one of a few million

In this big democracy

Do you feel free?

Enjoy the fruits of freedom?

Equal rights everywhere?

Feel safe and secure

In this our vast land?

No, no, no and again no,

This is a land of political parties,

Myriads of them

Of diverse hues and shades

The leaders speak and shout

Not for you and me

But for people of their own sect.

And for themselves.

Ideologies they have,

But not for them to follow,

But to dangle before you

Like carrot before a stupid donkey.

Promises they make by the dozen

Not for them to keep,


But as sweet honey

For the tongue of the followers

Serving hardly any other purpose.



I live in a democracy,

They say it is your country

They have taught me

And still teaching me,

Reminding me

And wanting me to believe.

They have their reasons

They seek power

And for that they need

Votes, my vote and your votes,

Ideologies are just

A bunch of leaves

Dangled before a stupid goat

Once in five years they celebrate

The festival of elections,

They make you and me

Play active parts in it

They make much of you

Treat you like a king

Humble servants they are

They request, they beg

With folded hands and smiling lips

They don't ask much from you

All they need is a vote

Your vote and my vote,

Brother, it's a democracy, they say

You have the right to vote

Brother, the fate of our nation

Is in your hands, they repeat,

You do have faith in our democracy,

Please vote, don't fail to vote.
They come one by one,
All with the same request
Please vote, brother, please vote.

I have watched your antics
In the august assembly
I have heard your hollering
Your threats and war-cries,
I have seen you walking out,
I have seen you abstain from voting
I have also caught you napping
Not once, but several times
All in this sanctum of democracy,
The greatest democracy in the world.

Now I hear you say,
Please vote, it's your duty, Brother,
YOU have to exercise your right,
It's WRONG to abstain.
Is it? I ask,
Don't I have an equal right
To abstain, not waste my precious right,
To refuse, to reject all
I do not trust
None worthy to chose?

Brother, isn't this our dear country,
The greatest democracy
Where I can have my will
Once in five years' time?




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