PEOPLE TO SOME PEOPLE.. (A POEM)

People to some people are not just people

But labels of segregation and discrimination,

They’re Keralites, Punjabis, Bengalis and others,

Brahmins, low castes, backwards and never right.

Foreigners are Arabs, Americans, Europeans

Chinese and Japs, etc., – all objects of suspicion

To be separated and weeded out to observe

As dangerous to our lovely pristine culture!

We do this unconsciously and without thought,

As if classifications are all that life is all about;

Nothing else is of essence and we are proud

To belong to this narrow world of our making,

Created for our cocoon warmth of social life.

Our social activities revolve around our own,

Our chosen circle touted as symbols of pride,

Ignoring more profound realities of existence!

Will we ever wake up to realize the beauty

Of this world and of peoples of other climes

Much beyond the confines of narrow thought!

Will we ever understand we ought to eschew

Our silly prejudices that cloud our perception

To inhibit the enjoyment of the beauty of Truth

That hovers above our heads like an airplane

Unable to land for want of airport clearance!