Money

Dr. Sanjeet Jha ‘Saras’

Money destroys
Even nice people
Completely.
Without money
Life becomes meaningless.

Neither well-wishers
Nor relatives—
No body wants to talk
Fearing one may demand something.

Friends are considered
Helpers in need
But they show their backs.

Giving and taking
Possess peculiarities
There is earth-sky gap
Between the two letters
‘ G’ and ‘ T ‘.

After someone gives
No one wants to pronounce
The giver’s name
Receiving phone and meeting
Become out of place.
It becomes impossible
To nurture their relationship.

Perhaps,  that’s why
Laxmi had said
If there is close relationship somewhere
Put me in the middle;
The relationship will break itself.

Then how will one lend?
If not, how will life move onwards?
Ultimately, the strength of the society
Provides people mental impetus.
Even if someone doesn’t return
The goodwill of giving must be there
Then only the society will survive.
“A gift will never go in vain.”
This feeling of support must predominate.

Otherwise, more anarchy will grow
Anarchy concerned
With stomach,
With neck,
With body
With love
With capability
With affection.

On one side
Unlimited amount of money
Will reign
On the other side
Anarchy will remain.

[Translated from Maithili into English by Ayodhyanath Choudhary]