Who are we?
Despite being a little dot on this immense heavenly body,
The world directly around us is all we see,
While we ignore the marvel of the universe beyond blatantly.
As we try to find our purpose,
The reason that we are the way we are,
We are restricted as much as an encaged tiger in a circus,
By societal and materialistic restrictions that stop us from reaching far.
Trying to make our way through daily life,
We take as many shortcuts as humanly possible
To avoid hard work and continuous strife,
For today, being unethical to earn money has become plausible.
In this race of life to hoard
As many worldly things as one can,
We are prepared to go down the wrong road,
For money has become more valuable than man.
We prefer cash over talent and skill.
So many gifted beings
Don’t earn enough to fill
Their empty stomachs and are fleeing
From their purpose and moral drives
Just to live financially stable lives.
Today, money can buy joy.
We aren’t quite as happy on seeing each other
As we are upon being gifted a pricy toy.
We can go months without talking to our father and mother,
But can’t stop thinking about our bank account
If we sense even the slightest sign that our money is decreasing in count.
As long as our ACs and TVs are working,
We continue to ignore the worsening condition of nature,
Our role in its doom and redemption we are shirking,
For all we care about is maintaining our social stature.
While our fellow planet-dwellers cry and moan,
We go deeper into God’s loan
Of this magnificent Earth,
On which we are fortunate enough to have taken birth.
Despite being provided all the resources to fulfill
Not only our needs but also our wants,
We are ungrateful enough to carelessly kill
Our fellow beings and be the creation of the ghost that haunts
Our masterpiece of a planet,
Which was initially free from every selfish tenet.
I mope of the world’s flaws and pains,
Just like a million others,
But feel imprisoned as if by chains,
When it comes to protecting my sisters and brothers,
For when trying to inspire a change,
One’s courage is met by a hundred’s discouragement,
As one tries to give a voice to the estranged.
But my one voice is not alone in this commitment
To make this world a better place and improve its every feature,
For everyone, whether man or woman, human or creature.
We can end corruption, discrimination, harassment, and hatred,
And greet each other with a smile,
Consider every living creature sacred,
Change our mindsets and our lifestyle.
And hopefully one day, when this artist too,
Tries to make her way in the world,
She won’t have to worry about being affected by the flu
Of corruption, immorality, delinquency; but will be free as a bird.
Unat Pannu
Featured Image by Lars_Nissen from Pixabay