Face of Modernity

We are in the Mall
not to buy, just to gaze at things
and scan the offers.

Adorned like a romantic poem,
the Mall infuses sentimentality
into times of leisure.
An authorized piece of paper
eventually transforms the process
into an economic transaction.

Many a generation –
from stroller to wheel-chair –
you’ll meet in the Mall.
It’s a place of enlightenment
for a Buddha in the crowd,
and the face of modernity
for the enlightened.
Just a sight of the products
causes a mountain of desires
to crumble.
If needs don’t dictate
then no buyers will bargain
even for half the price.

A deflation of desires
may disgrace the market.
Shopkeepers entice with offers
of buy one get one free.
How generous they are!
The unsalable is finally sold
by advertising it as ‘free.’

In a corner, top talk show
panelists debate.
Sheep move in a flock.
Birds fly in a flock.
Geese swim in a flock.
Humans cheat in a flock.
Homo sapiens are social beings.

Born (1952) and raised in tribal reserve of Jhabua, India, Dharm is a Toronto based Author. He writes in Hindi and has seven published books- five collections of satirical essays and two collections of Poetry. He is a columnist for four prestigious journals Chankya Varta, Vishwa gatha, Setu & VishwAa. His works have appeared in prestigious Hindi journals across the world. His poetry in English has been previously published in Poetry Pause, Fresh Voices, Harbinger Asylum, Akshara, Impspired, Piker Press, Scarlet Leaf Review, Dissident Voice, and Setu. He can be reached at dharmtoronto@gmail.com and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dharmpalmahendra/ Read other articles by Dharmpal Mahendra, or visit Dharmpal Mahendra's website.