Picture of (Dis)Contentment

This poem with a montage of images of city life, by Prof. Sanjoy, depicts contentment and discontentment. An exclusive for Different Truths.

The moon is peering from behind the clouds,
A new bride has entered her father-in-law’s house.
Three frail washerwomen are mumbling prayers
To the almighty, lamp in hand at the doorstep.
An office peon in uniform greets the first lighted
Bulb with incense in his folded hands for bliss.
Loudspeakers blare romantic songs from the distant market
Place, the cobbler has wound up and cows have settled
Down under his reserved tree. Sweepers have gathered
At the teashop to move out for shots of hooch
And the old plumber has hit the bottle under the lamppost.
Women have started burning cycle-tyres to keep themselves,
And their children, warm. One week back having returned
From Britain, I wonder at this picture of contentment
Rising with the poisonous smoke to touch the sky.
 

Visual by Different Truth