Poem: It was not always like this

Diwali / Deepavali has changed over the years. As I approach my fifth decade, there are some nostalgic memories and itsy-bitsy grievances about these days. But…things can always change. A poem, therefore.

HAPPY DEEPAVALI.

Poem: IT WAS NOT ALWAYS LIKE THIS

Happy Deepavali!

The crackers have gone silent.
It was not always like this
Today-
We have pollution,
Old and sick people,
and sensitive pets

It was not always like this.
Unfiltered happiness in family gatherings.
Sweets. New Dress. Crackers.
Smiles. Laughter. That feeling.
Today –
These are memories.
Children have school tomorrow
Exams.
Absent parents.
The festival is an irritating reminder.

It was not always like this.
Shopping was fun –
Little choices were made, fought over, and won.
Ah, I had the gun.
The fake one with capes.
Today –
The Great Online shopping fest.
Crowds are a pest.
The convenience of the Internet.
Somebody sacrifices his Deepavali
To deliver things to our doorstep.
We spend our time to track-
Deliveries and worry about cashback.

It was not always like this.
Crayons and watercolors
Handcrafted postcards
The rushed run to the red post box.
The thrills of waiting and
The happiness in getting one.
Today -
Readymade GIFs and posters
Just at the touch of our fingers
A smiley in reply
Sometimes there are just too many
Unread messages to the bin.

It was not always like this.
The festival was magic.
Today –
We feel really sick.
Somewhere between us
And our children
We have lost the art of
Just being happy together.

Of course, things change
The little joys of yesterday
Washed over forever
New ideas of happiness
Merge with nostalgic memories
And change our mindset.
It need not be always like this.

~Ashok Subramanian © 2023

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