The Rumour Spread Thus Poem by sreelekha premjit

The rumour spread that he is dead
the talks were excited with passionate greed

anxious souls rushed to the site
eager for morsels of material food

(to pacify momentary greed
though not satiate the need for more)

as he lay he heard the commotion
quickly he came to the conclusion

and the poor unloved soul
thought it fit to kill what was left
of the dying life in him

the rushing crowd of wards and worse
saw the father writhing in pain

his slit hand spoke volumes
of the hurt that loved ones gave

did realisation dawn, better sense prevail
did greed subside? truth and love prevail?

in hushed tones the neighbours spoke
of heartless sons and cruel daughters

who having had their due
would only turn back to scrounge for more.