Children Of A Lesser God!

By Neeta Agarwal Doshi

We want our children to believe that God loves all

Yet brazenly we discriminate, based on things big and small

We want our children to believe that good looks or good marks

Are not the only way to bedazzle or ignite their spark

Yet in reality, good looks and good scores take precedence

Unabashedly, we allow our prejudice to influence

In how we perceive a human being

We first assess their looks and score record

And assume that all that glitters is gold

A fair-skinned, beautiful or a high-flying person

Can never be harsh, unkind or cold!

And it’s not a big shock or very astonishing,

Scoring full marks begets great importance

The ones who dared to score below ninety

Are looked down upon like they are a nobody

We don’t care about anyone’s mental state

We just follow the herd and blame it on fate

We do not listen and empathise

We only hear, opine and hypothesize

We don’t dare to swim against the tide

We can’t acknowledge failure and take it in our stride

The ones trying hard against all odds

Are brushed aside like children of a lesser God.

While good looks and good marks must definitely be celebrated

Average looks and average marks cannot be simply relegated

Without the average, the highest would mean nothing

If all were beauty queens or toppers, success wouldn’t be as pleasing.

Blatantly we place our pride on the ever-fleeting success

When the soul’s beauty is eternal and timeless.

Better marks and looks maybe a better stepping stone

But it’s also true that what the future holds, is unknown.

So go on, celebrate the beauties and the toppers

But spare a thought also, for the non-title holders

Let the low scorers and plain janes also live and brag

They try their best and deserve a pat on their back

Let us create this inclusivity and reassure them with hope

There is a world beyond looks and marks where everyone has a scope!

By Neeta Agarwal Doshi