We shall appear on television,
we the fit and able.
We shall usher this poor wreck
into a sealed room.
We’ll ask him:
So, you’re a handicapped individual, are you?
But why is this?
Your handicap, I guess it hurts!
Does it
(Close-up)
Yes. So now, tell us quickly about the suffering.
What’s it like!
He can’t
Come on.
Tell us.
What does it feel like to be handicapyed!
Well!
I mean, how does it feel?
(At this point we prompt him a little:
is this how it is!)
Come on.
Tell us.
Try a bit harder
(We can feel the opportunity slipping away!)
To spice up the programme,
we have to keep on at him,
till we’ve reduced him to tears.
And you,
aren’t you waiting for him to break down too?
(No need to ask!)
Then we’ll close in
on those puffy eyes.
And a really large close-up
of twitching lips.
(Let’s hope this is suggestive of the suffering of the handicapped).
One more try.
Viewers,
please bear with us.
Look,
We’ve got to get the two of you weeping simultaneously—
you and him,
both.
(Cut.
Well, it didn’t work.
Never mind.
Screentime’s money.)
We can relax now, smile.
You’ve been watching a socially significant programme
(Which damned near came off.)
Thanks.
(Raghuvir Sahay)
More Poetry from Raghuvir Sahay:
Raghuvir Sahay Poems based on Topics: Mind, Smiling, Opportunity, Work & Career, Television, Money & Wealth, Suffering- Mujhe kuchh aur karna tha (I Ought to do Much More) (Raghuvir Sahay Poems)
- Hindi (Raghuvir Sahay Poems)
- Your Thoughts (Raghuvir Sahay Poems)
- Cycle Rickshaw (Raghuvir Sahay Poems)
- Pul ka Itihaas (History of a Bridge) (Raghuvir Sahay Poems)
- Yathanh (Reality) (Raghuvir Sahay Poems)
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Based on Topics: Mind Poems, Smiling Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Work & Career Poems, Suffering Poems, Opportunity Poems, Television PoemsBased on Keywords: programme, puffy, handicap, handicapped, close-up, viewers, socially