DEATH OF THE WEST
I
watch millions of rupees wasted in just a name change
colonized names of Indian cities scrubbed hard by politicians
Bombay to Mumbai, Madras to Chennai, the endless list
I
stare as citizens relish western fries, burgers and colas
willingly immerse head to toe
in Ray bans and Gucci's to Nikes and Reebok's
free models for all western brands
chained for forever
I
gape at my youth's race for western universities and jobs
the amenities of green card or other Western passports
my blue passport easily bartered
I
soak tears of their parents' eternal wait
and the struggle of grandparents' inability to
comprehend grandchildren's western accents
I fumble
at shops full of
cakes and cards of Halloween and Valentines' day
I
am awestruck at an Indian Prime minister of country that ruled us
and another in nail-biting contest in another western democracy
Who am I?
A country of teeming millions,
an endless market for western commodities
a mute witness to the myriad hats of west
each time a new garb or a new mask to camouflage.
