The Looking Chink

Once: long long ago

We used to creep a lot
Belly-aching, begging for a choice
And that's the test of freedom
So would people say.

Times changed, somehow, as if on cue

 Lo, here you are

Your telly has arrived at last

Kaleidoscopic, crisp, captivating and cuddly

Every pixel to emerge from all dimensions

At your service, and go, feast your eyes on it  

It’s your choice after all, fulfilling your wish.

Past is a picture: the reel story

Present is a picture too: the real story

Future is a sketch: a picture in making

Where can you find the real world?

The shadow is now the real thing.

Look! How fast choice matures!
Into monotony, too hard a lump to melt

Despite everything

Moments merge into hours, and hours into days

Sagas unfold, endless, of quarrels and contests,

No longer relents the evil, the plot convoluted
And hanging down the cliff…what next?

Farce to follow the gossip and the point dissipates.

Know a lot, to forget what you know

No longer, it’s willing deferral of disbelief

Now, how easy it is to doubt everything!

Eyes bleary, night beckons to stay awake

There’s a picture before you to see and believe.
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By

A. N. Nanda

Shimla

25-10-2014

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