THE SHELL

He joined politics in his
youthful days,
with service as his motto.
Melted into the mainstream
with a pledge to serve
the people, society,
the nation as a whole.
His conscience clear,
principles far from
defiled, integrity at its
best.
He evolved a model to new-comers
model to the society
and a pride to his nation.
And he had a long array of
followers.
Those who joined politics
In their youthful days
along with him
but of a different
genre altogether.
They too melted into
the mainstream within
no time
their knack for
attracting masses
like iron ores to the
magnet quite baffling
but unlike him
they wore masks
their broad gentle smiles
pleasing nature
inspiring behaviour
modest costumes,
their attitudes of identifying
themselves with the
hardships of the masses
all ploys to
exploit the tender
feelings of the masses
and push them into
the abyss of
poverty.
No sooner did he start
witnessing the
stifling of principles, integrity,
honesty and sincerity
like culling of a
chicken
than he with all
his sorrows held close
to his bosom
withdrew into a shell
- a moody world of his own
resigned to his nation’s fate
with not a drop
of tears to be shed
even by his followers
at least for once.
Resting in the world of
wilderness
with a weeping heart
he, but continued to
watch his nation
thrown into the mouths
of wolves dressed as
sheeps.