Sans Art

By Geetanjali Jain

“Little kid, study very hard

There’s not much in being just a bard.

You see, the world needs more of scholars

They sure earn many more dollars.

Let your hobbies take a seat

Till you’re rich enough to retreat.”

Said the man to the pliable child

Hoping he had beguiled

The sprog into chasing a stream

That would clinch the narrowest dream

Of money, approval, esteem

With his own bias agleam.

Oh, how wise was he!

Knew this world to a T

He’d make his son to be

His perfect, prosaic copy.

If you study this man’s intent

You might give his kind consent

But I’m glad there are exceptions

Without such flawed perceptions

Who don’t just work for a living

And make our lives worth living.

Would you fancy a world sans art?

Where beauty, aesthetics depart

Just numbers and findings remain

People – motorised and mundane.

No music befalls your ears

No dance to engage with your peers

No paintings to look at with wonder

No domes you’d like to sit under.

Books are purely erudite

No tales to be read at night.

Sports vanishes in thin air

Theatre’s gone and so’s the fair.

Growing up sans toys or swings

You realize the value of those things.

Nothing with which to decorate

Your house – a pathetic state.

You might tell me this isn’t that bad

And suppose I agree just a tad

Tell me honestly, after a thought

Keeping aside what you’ve been taught,

With huge money you’ve earned with your heart

What would you buy if not art?

By Geetanjali Jain