(a soliloquy) Enough of truth, truth is terrible. It is against us, always on the other side. What use of truth, if it cannot Serve us occasionally. Offer us a rebate Or respite. We can’t be so undeserving. Whatever they say, Even when it hurts us, makes us feel Miserable, is hailed as truth. Does truth have no responsibility towards us? Who the hell does truth think it is? Gandhiji used to say, “Truth is God”. Such an exaggeration! Our gods have often lied, if their reputation And their power, were at stake. Power is higher than truth. No wonder, Gandhi was powerless. He extolled The virtues of meekness, offered his other cheek. Politics is not for the timid. It is not for the fool, who forgets even gods Sacrifice truth for power. The truth about politics is, truth be told, Power is truth, truth power. If truth does not feel responsible For our dreams, We shall abandon it like a fig leaf. I will tell you a secret, how to bring Truth to its knees: Pit its arrogance against rumour. Spread lies. Truth is caught in the details. Twist them a bit, the way You move the tuning knob of a radio. If truth is a radio station, Create a hundred stations of lies. Spread a virus against truth. Rumour always works, when people Are unsure of each other, When they suspect each other, And the fun part is they always do. Serve them five lies well, They will fall for the sixth without ado. Rumours can cause wars, We are just planning a lynching or two. We are responsible people, We don’t let things go out of hand, Till people believe us. If truth is not on our side, we will show it Who rules, who always ruled, We will change history. We will change the names of streets, Of cities, obliterate the past. We will give truth an indecent burial, Burn its effigy, break its statue. We will name the meat in the fridge, Manipulate the laboratory. Like the scientist in the ‘Jantarmantar’ Of Satyajit Ray’s film, We will create doctors of truth. When one half sleeps, the other half Stays awake, creates the myth Of a laboratory that never sleeps. Truth is a Frankenstein, Brought to life by an army of scientists, Who know better than truth.

Poets Resist is published by Glass Poetry Press.
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