☛ We are inviting submission in the field of literature and literary theory in the form of article, book review, poem, short story, travelogue and interview for our regular April issue (Vol. 6, No. 2). The last date for submission is 31 March, 2025.

REAL LIFE CIRCUS

 


REAL LIFE CIRCUS

 

-         Manas Bakshi (India)

 

Clowns in a circus crack jokes, 

Make the spectators laugh. 

Swamped by the wind of change

The tents without animals

Now look different: lack-lustre and sullen---

 

Animals're relieved a bit-- it's proclaimed,  

An arena sans animals incomplete for a game -- it's lamented. 

 

Cruelty to animals --caged or stray-- continues everywhere, 

Mockery of animal rights too

When chained pets are whipped to be trained;

 

Another circus is going on in the name of election, 

Criminals unleashed for rigging and vote loot

At the behest of political figures

Switching sides at the drop of a hat! 

 

Why then at those-- in real life not jokers

We're still prompted to laugh? 

Tear off the mask, 

Say 'No' to unreal jestures--

It's all fudging with a soulful episode:

 

Sorrows and sufferings

Suppressed with feigned rainbow colours

Behind the real gloom

Of depressing dusk. 

 

 

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