THE CAMPUS

Day one was the day of
formal and informal introduction
in a jovial atmosphere
a merry go round around
the campus enjoying the
scenic beauty.
Day two brought about
a closeness among the lot
walked the talk to the
college in twos, threes, and
in droves, singles
only exceptional cases.
Day three, classes formally
began with each faculty asking
the batch
‘each introduce oneself
standing up’
self-introduction over
faculty got serious
but not the students
faculty got
angry
asked the batch
to behave in high decibels
nothing more, nothing less.
Day four, saw each faculty
in a serious mood with
business as usual
as soon as the classes began
each reminded the batch
either sit quiet and
listen to the teachings
or to go out
clearing way for others to
listen to the classes
disinterested ones go
out
some to the canteen
some to the shades of
trees,
some merely walking the talk
without any purpose
mere walk the talk
here and there.
Day five, bring each gang
too closer
even not entering the class
go to the nearby cinema
or to the bar nearby
getting drunk, some smoking
ganja and enter the
psychedelic world.
Day six, hands on a
platter American bombing in
Afghanistan killing hundreds,
the news ‘boil the blood
of the anti-imperialist
ones’
and call for
a one day strike
shouting slogans order
the Principal to
close down the college for
for the day in protest
a visibly taken aback
principal immediately
gives into the demands
asking himself
what the hell is US
bombing in Afghanistan
to do with classes
going on in a faraway country like this.
Each day , each problem
intentional ones,
invented ones,
invited ones,
campus life has its charm and
thrill but the dangers lurking behind.