In Search of Children

June 21, 2008 by Usha Pisharody 4 Comments

Jam them, cram them-
Fill them, completely, to the brim
But, dear parent, make sure
You don’t mark them
Not, at least, where it shows.

Coax them, threaten them-
Butter them, blackmail them
The carrot, let it dangle
But, make sure, the stick
Dear teacher, they don’t notice.

Dazzle them, entice them-
Show them numbers, then reserve them
For the undeserving, never mind who they are
And while you ensure competition reigns,
O Government Gods, ensure you compartmentalize them.

Bloomin’ buds, drool prospectors-
Drinking eyefuls, on the campus
Fresh meat, made to order
Satiate the system, with them-
Electrify brains, tempted to lucre
A rosy picture, the flat, the car-
And of course, the luscious bodies
Soulless, waiting to be devoured.

Come Children’s Day, each passing year
I wonder, more sadly, more yearningly
The Children

Where have the Children gone?

26 May, 2008