As part of my community service initiatives with an NGO I happened to visit a rehabilitation center for Drug Abuse where I happened to dialogue with one of the patients undergoing treatment. His experiences drove me to write this poem in his active voice. This individual breathed his last just a fortnight ago leaving behind a pair of foot torn jeans, a few T Shirts (one of which bore a slogan that read "Discard this with the baggage inside") and 2 books one being Rabindranath Tagore's "Gitanjali" and the other, a copy of the Bhagvad Gita by C Rajagopalachari. He quoted from them every now and then (sometimes with word additions of his own) which are also included as a few lines in the poem. I write this as a tribute to him who I am sure wished to convey the message so that others do not succumb to this "Mans greatest enemy of present times".
I was unaware of the moment when I crossed the threshold of life,
I had strength, power and vigor but no beauty as my wife.
One morning when I woke up and looked upon the light
I felt like a stranger who was always "Mr Right".
I took a shot of a dreaded drug to find solace atleast once
It took the form of my mother welcoming with open arms.
My mind and the limbs were thrilled with its ever pulsating surge
and then carried me through a dreamland where wondrous things emerged.
Blessed with those achievements i roamed around with fame.
the visions further gave me the strength to delete my earthly name.
In this playhouse Ive had my play with elf's friends fairies and all,
nameless and formless together we played and had a wonderful ball.
As I treaded back from this wonderland through an eerie lane with no passerby
I felt all parched up, weary and thought that now I was going to die.
Again a shot of my wonder drug did put me in a stable state
This game of fate did really give life to me a little late.
So wonderful was this fairyland its hard to explain off hand
a shot of it will take you man on a trip for you to understand.
After years of such constant use
the veins on my hand have begun to ooze
the oozing produces such an intense pain
its anytime better than a mental strain.
The constant doses have now kept me always on a pleasant flight.
Now to me there is neither day or neither night.
From these trips I know not if ever I shall come back
Not even if my end come here coz Ive also drugged the tracks.
Ive made this land my abode coz its such a peaceful serene world
when I go from hence to there let this be my parting word.
"Drugs" the unloved ones may feel as their only support
but they always are life's major spoil sport.
"Don't do drugs" is what you need to keep in mind
and love is all around you - 'YOU' will find.
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