You write such bitter things.
My mother tells me, and I look up
from the laptop screen.
A student of mine was showing me.
There's so much gore and foul language.
And why do you use the f word
so many times?
I smile. Lean back on the chair.
So what would you rather have me write?
Well, why not try to motivate the generation?
Instill good faith, love for literature...
Talk about the great world leaders,
eradicate bitterness and profanity,
you know, make the world a better place.
Well, does your student like what I write?
Yes, she sounds confused. She loves it.
And what does it tell you about our generation?
You know what, I don't have time for your wordplay.
Stay in your gutter if you have to.
I put on my headphones, go back to writing.
You know ma, I would love to save the world,
preach flowery peace and non violence.
But the sad part is,
there are enough motivational books,
pumped up videos on youtube that says
positive thinking will make us all
big shot winners, but I just can't bring
myself to tell the seventeen year old
buying antidepressants on stolen prescription
that she's a drama queen and not a biproduct
of failed parenting, talk about kindness to
that boy who's flogged every night by his father
coz he finally told his parents he's in love
with another boy, or explain values
to the seven year old who sells handmade
paper fans, barefeet in mid June traffic,
only to buy a loaf of bread at the end of the day and have the rest snatched away by his mother's pimp.
I'm sorry. I don't really know what to say to them.
someday i might. But I can assure you,
the big words from great world leaders
didn't make any f word difference
in their shitty lives.
Neither will mine.
.
.
.
~~
