People, like those who like true Democracy
Else, it is no more than a mere show of Hypocrisy,
Just the word on the lips but axe in the heart
Is not Democracy, it is akin to Heresy.

Of the people, by the people, for the people
Seems like a bad forgotten dream,
Look at Democracy in its home of homes
What we saw as riots, recently, was like boulders in its stream.

Capitol, under attack instigated as it seemed
And, as it has been alleged as well,
Is this what the forefathers said
Turn into a farce, win and then, set the tolling bell.

It’s the same elsewhere too, folks
And there’s a fundamental issue there,
Why it will not work well, unless
The local population is literate and aware,

‘Cause then issues beyond the state of the Nation
Will to the forefront be always brought,
Everyone knows how votes are cast
And, how cleverly, manipulatively, sought.

The worse the state of literacy
The greater the chances of a tarnished Democracy,
Votes sought, bought on caste, colour and creed
Can get rather clumsy, dubious and messy

But, the alternatives too have blemishes
A discussion some other time,
Though, if a system is really “for the people”
Then, style is more like pantomime

It can work but it must be for the People
Not just those in Ivory Towers, the Spire and the Steeple.

(The author is a prolific poet who has over 30 poetry books to his credit. He can be reached at ashoksawhny06@gmail.com/ www.ashoksawhny.com)