A REFUGEE PROBLEM

Cooling his heels,
the ousted General sat
in his country of refuge.
Once, an iron-fisted,
iron-hearted, wicked
figure,
thrown out of his saddle
by the citizens thirsting
for freedom and
democracy.
He watched with a sense of
loss and self-pity
the reactions of rulers
the world over
who once treated him
with utmost respect
welcomed him unrolling
red carpets
sometimes donned the role
of Guest of Honour
those were glorious
immemorable golden days.
Now licking his wounds
he pulls on
in a country which
provided him a refuge
out of sympathy.
To his shock and angst
he witnessed his fiefdom
of yesterday
being accorded recognition
by establishing diplomatic relations
by his friendly nations of
yesterdays
while in power
also passing resolutions
applauding the new democratic
country
as also condemning the
autocratic
rule of
the wicked General.
The helpless ruler heaved
deep sighs
unable to come to
terms with the emerging
reality.
He gritted his teeth
in impotent rage
hitting the wind.