Peopled places have much to see
emotions, reactions – a melting pot
some have it more some have it less
the tiger’s stripes and leopard’s spots
–
Purity wrapped in black humour
pugnacity veiled by modest blinds
the tiger’s hide is a zebrine pun
on the people of a myriad kinds
–
The fine patchwork on a dirty quilt
or goodwill marred by power lust
hiding behind the pardine facade
are conniving minds of the corrupt
–
But none as black as a sooty crow
and none so fair as a holy cow
none as tall as the tallest tree
none so meek as a slighted bow
–
Peopled places have much to see
emotions, reactions – a melting pot
some wear it more some wear it less
yet all ignore the blood-curdling shot
–
Screaming slogans fall on deaf ears
letters and cases lie year-struck
all means of protest are now passe
time to celebrate the poacher’s luck
–
And to revel in stripping and slaughter
for mink blankets and tiger rugs
for leather boots and spotted coats
because once a thug always a thug
–
Hey…its slash and burn cultivation
it returns in the vanishing cabinet
for wildlife grows on tree tops
and springs out from Zeus’s head
–
Peopled places have much to see
emotions, reactions – a melting pot
some wear it more some wear it less
the tiger’s stripes and leopard’s spots
-Akanksha Gupta
AxelleGupta 