Can you feel the anguish of a commoner poet
On whom's levied a cruel jizya
If he wishes to be read by many?
How long with my few votaries, dear?
I long for the glamour of a celebrity poet
Whose words fill his hands
And readers gobble from them,
Generously buying, subscribing,
Plodding on seats for the audio.
All these instead i am asked to
Do, like a fresher's ragging, and
He's too old and embarrassed
To call his parents to his aid. They
Aren't available anyway, and
Wouldn't know what to do except
Offer the tax as a gift for peace
From tantrums. No, much better to be stoic,
Philosophical, and keep writing more.
Sanjib Basu 