Mask

Today we are passing through a difficult phase in the history of human civilization . The lure of materialistic comforts are slowly causing degradation in moral values. I know many of you will wrinkle your noses after reading these two lines. Those who're into the habit of going with the tide will argue that now is the best time for living life to the full . 'Eat, drink and be merry' is their mantra. However those of us serious in realizing our ambitions often forget to sit back and enjoy life. Then again when we fail we go deep in frustration. We fail to realize that happiness is a state of mind, not a commodity which can be purchased at the tap of a button.

Being brought up in such a fast-paced environment we're geared into seeking everything instantly .From the recharge of our mobile phones .. booking movie tickets .. learning courses .. procuring a job to getting established in life .. we don't have the patience for waiting to get the product/ services of our choice from many sequential routes other than directly from a single shop window. We don't want to go through the hassles of making mistakes .. try different avenues .. learn and grow. In other words we all want to be Mr. & Mrs. Perfect without working hard.

But we've not always believed in this lifestyle. The consumerist society decides what we should hear, see, wear and buy, according to the needs of industries. The effects has not just been limited to our lifestyles, but has extended to our relationships as well. Today without buying rich presents for our girlfriends/ boyfriends on Valentine's Day or for our spouses on their birthdays/ wedding anniversaries, our love remains unconvinced. Our houses remain susceptible to negative energies if we don't buy gold/silver coins on Dhanteras; Many businesses have evolved/ are flourishing today, cashing in on our emotions .. relationships. Our choices are influenced by media advertisements and we're hardly able to compare and decide upon them logically.

Then there are canvassers and influencers, who paint rosy pictures in order to sell an idea/ way of life which actually caters to certain products/ businesses. They come under many guises .. Babas, motivational speakers, even friends. The idea has become only to market and sell just anything under the sun in order to generate revenues .. ethics doesn't matter anymore .Like the saying goes 'A good salesman sells ice even to an Eskimo'

THE POEM

1

'How are you ?'

I ask him like old times ..

And find a mimicked smile staring at me

A mocking remembrance of a civilization ..

That once had heartbeats ..

Now only the putrid smell of death fills the skies

Since when have you last enjoyed

A rain drenched afternoon ..

Soaked in warm remembrances ?

When was the last time you hugged someone tight ..

And melted into a sea of truth .. faith and surrender ?

The days when happiness knew no bounds of hearts

Or human sufferings brought tears to your eyes ?

2

Once there were men who used to sing .. write .. play

Those who weaved dreams of revolution

They've become nautch dancers now ..

Monarchy smiles ..

Class .. Religion .. Caste .. Gender

The divisions never fail to fetch dividends ..

The promises of socio-economic reforms

The sickles have blunted since long

Now only wines flow instead of our blood ..

Our crumpled up cries die inside our throats

3

The sound of machine guns silences the sounds of hunger now

Drums and bugles announces lie after lie

As each new Sun dawns ..

They check them out to fit their faces well

Watch the 'Sold Out' tag tied to their collars with pride ..

Stooping low to the brink of humanity to please their masters

Who sold their hearts to become rich

Our love .. sorrows .. hopes .. self- respect ..

All have become commodities now

Our lives are stolen in the guise of friendship ..

4

Once they held promises of paradise

Your scent had mixed with my sweat and blood then

When I try to find shelter in your breasts now ..

The stench becomes overpowering again

Your love could've made me a martyr ..

Why did you turn into an ambitious river ?

Your banks having been inundated ..

Where on earth can I close my eyes in peace now ?

5

I know the thing wouldn't spare me even

The more I try to tear it off ..

It presses tight along the contours of my face ..

I can feel it's pressure on my lips .. cheeks

'Accept .. Obey .. Adapt .. Smile .. You're no different'

It hisses into my ears

No .. No .. No .. I protest

My eyes are blindfolded into seeing only happiness ..

Wiping out the tears .. and everything that is discordant

I can't breathe .. the stench is so overwhelming ..

I want to scream my lungs out and let the world know

I'm not happy, and I can't pretend to be

I look out of my window and find a procession of mimics ..

People without eyes .. ears .. mouths .. brains .. feelings

Marching past in a pack to the tune of ruler's anthem

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