Roles by Tapan Mozumdar
commentary on one’s freedom of speech in the times of social media wearing pretentious garbs.

Just a few minutes more
Then we will change
To the dresses
That will take us home
And keep us there.
A few minutes more
Before the curtain drops.
Oh, ok, so you have a longer role
And will be here
On the stage
A few minutes more
Before the curtain drops.
Oh, ok, so you have a longer role
And will be here
On the stage
A few minutes more
Than me.
They say
You are a better actor
And clap for you louder
Yet
You know it well
That just in a few minutes
Sans costumes
Sans identities
Or,
The undemocratic allocation
Of the grossly unequal roles
That the pompous director
Threw at us.
We scampered like puppies,
Gnawing at the rubber balls
Of convenience and habits,
Settling into the abyss
Of cushioned satisfaction.
After we are through
With our pretenses
Of little and big roles
And stand real, undressed
In the dressing room
We will go home
And pick up
Our axes, swords,
Words,
Whatever is handy
And from the shrouded clouds
Of the Internet
Throw at each other
Our opinions, prejudices,
Hatred
With unabashed democracy

