Mourning A Leader Poem by Ch J Satyananda Kumar

When a popular leader demised
His fans and admirers amongst the common men lamented grief stricken
They could not forget his help
The ration cards
Emergency ambulance services
Free medical aid
Meager loans on low interest rates
Scholarships to their children
Not able to come out the shock
Hundreds of them died of heart attacks
Tens of them committed suicides
Their deaths found an disinterested inconspicuous mention in media
Their loss of life found scant coverage in remote corners of tabloids space

When a popular leader demised
His pals and followers mourned his loss in the glare of camera lights
They reverently digested his largesse
Coveted cabinet berths
Longed legislature seats
Privileged party posts
Lucrative project contracts
Gainful industry licenses
But not even one of them died of heart attack
None of them even remotely thought of committing suicide
Exhibiting a borrowed grief they issued press statements
Which found prominent coverage in national media
And their crocodile tears dazzled the TV screens all the day

When a tsunami comes
Only the poor and slums on the shore are washed away
But, not the millionaires and mansions facing the shore

When a cyclone occurs
Only cattle, poultry and street dogs die
But, not the pet dogs and thorough-bred stallions

When an old tree falls in forest
Only the squirrels and rabbits get caught and perish
But not the lions and tigers

Poor are the epitome of gratitude
Rich have a bland syndrome of egocentric attitude!