I Witnessed...(cntd)

The leading candidates hit the campaign trail,
They criss-crossed the land , by air, by road, on foot,
They ate and slept on their feet; they couldn't waste time,
Their caddies plotted arguments and tallied scores.

I watched the campaign as it developed,
The candidates putting their cases forward.
Separately, they delivered their promises,
They each painted a thousand Utopias;

In many instances people nodded with knowing smiles...!

There was no vitriolic taunting or vicious insults,
There were no demeaning songs or vulgar gestures,
No one was labelled a traitor for having a different view,
No one was beaten up for belonging to a less popular party.

I could not believe it, there were no slogans!
The supporters were not working themselves into a frenzy!
There was no aimless running about or beating of chests,
The ques at polling stations were quiet and peaceful,
The voting was completed with no incident.

No party supporters were arrested or disappeared,
The ballots were counted and the winner declared,
The other candidates duly congratulated the winner!
Then they all went to an after-poll tea, all smiles,

I could not believe that I was not dreaming.

Of course the arguments were heated and animated,
There was anger and shouting and accusation,
But still they shook hands,smiled at each other at the end,
None of them feared for their lives if they lost.

Indeed not one person was murdered during the elections!


asiseeit!