Sailing with a Salesman

Sailing with a Salesman

P K Routray

 

 

I recollect

the scenes of my village market

and the traveling hawkers

selling their goods to the village belles on barters.

I also foresee the future of shop less market

the sales and purchase taking place over the net.

But in-between as exists today

in most part of the world, we may say.

Sold are the commodities at the counter

either by the salesman or by the owner.

But to meet the surmounting demands

owners of shops engage today many hands.

They are salesman or woman at the counters.

With smiles, they deal pleasantly with the customers

being monitored through closed-circuit television,

no moment to rest and ever to remain in caution.

Plight on a ladies’ garment counter

deserve they pat and pity for their hard labor.

Satisfy they the fastidious tastes of womenfolk

as all material they have to bring out of the stock,

again pack anew with perfection and keep them back

again and again repeating the acts without being slack

with ever-present smiles on face inviting the customers.

Surveillance forces their frustration to be kept under covers..

These scenes and their plight rocked my head

“So difficult it is for them to earn the bread?’

Before fifty when their agility fades they have to go

Thereafter their living the society forgets to know.

Epitomize they the inequality prevailing in human society

Some role in opulence some swim across seas to survive with humility.

The posh hospitals and the public schools classify the man today

they open their doors for the privileged classes to thrive and stay.

Deprived of the privileges the unprivileged continue to suffer

serving the privileged and then vanish with hatred and anger.

No thought genuine is imparted to remove the disparity,

no attempts are seen yet to bring the humanity on parity.

The Net sales and purchase in the future will benefit a few

the wrath for the most through generations will continue.

Illiteracy and poverty will breed more of their breed

Crushed will be the privileged class by them for their need.