An evocative poem about man’s greed, flouting divine will, and the punishment, by Enakshi, exclusively for Different Truths.

Last week, when the sun shone brightly
And the heat was unbearable
I walked up to the shrine
Where the belief and magic seemed to be prime.

The afternoon throng had gathered for prayers
Concealing the lies and deceit on their soul with layers.
They bent before the supreme, asking for mercy
The power spoke words of wisdom-
Asking these men to expand their gaze and first see.

‘The world now reeks of sloth and greed,
People don’t have friends or family to keep.
Lust and wrath take most of their time-
And they just say- it’s fine!
A world so reckless, a world so bleak
I never thought that man could be so weak!’

The men were angry, they wanted to argue.
Words of criticism they craved to spew!
But the Supreme had more left to say-
‘I gave you all an embarrassment of riches,
To choose and follow was all your wishes!
You opened the Pandora’s Box with delight
Now prevent the doom, try as you might!’

Sadly, the men didn’t quite understand
That their actions can lead to perishment.
Jolly in ignoring their folly-
They still continue to put at stake what’s at hand!

Photo from the Internet