Oh, how I dreamt in school
When heard speeches of Kalam..
Thought I really had wings..
Thought I’ll make us
THE Superpower,
Thought I’ll help make
Development sustainable,
Thought I’ll help people
See through all the bullshit,
Thought I’ll make
Education accessible,
Thought I’ll give everyone
Every opportunity,
To make new discoveries,
To make ideas come true,
To venture the world, the universe,
To find the purpose-the real one,
To choose,
To love,
To dislike,
To befriend,
To never be left behind..
Today I see
Vilest of the vile people
Doing stupidest of the stupid things,
And taking pride, smaller than nothing,
Now when someone plays that
iPhone-made short film,
With Kalam’s voice in the back
And kids repeating after him,
“I am born with wings”,
I cringe and then
I laugh.
© Mudita Sonawane
Wander with Mudita 