Today was a lock-down
Like last Monday and next Tuesday
A strange political custom that common man
Is in a love-hate relationship with.
Of course it is not official!
Vehicles are prohibited however
And offices forced shut by mid-morning
Attendance needs to be marked because
If you don’t turn up you lose a leave
If you do turn up you lose your mind.
In this madness, the sun dries my spiced mangoes and
Wind spreads leaves across my porch without a thought
For retaining my sweeping chore
By noon stomaches lay a grumbling for grub
Flies buzz, dogs bark and children are delivered
Bandh doesn’t stop some
It only stops many.
Life stands unnoticing
Of men and their passing tantrums
Hartal, Bandh and others.