I am

a prisoner-of-wars

the battles raging outside

of conflicting interests

bruised toes ‘n’ cataracts.

The cacophony

of loudmouths

and long ceremonial

empty words

is still bearable.

The fortunate ones

prince Siddhartha among them

are ignorant of pain

co-sufferers rest

of a video-sonic conquest

inside, full volume.

The boom-boom

of thoughts ‘n’ ideas

emotions, ambitions

and calculations

struggles ‘n’ compromises

is my personal

private war.

Treacherous balancing

between the two

the precarious perch

breaks my spirit

kills my search.

Is it really I

I wonder sometimes

the brave ones

such as Gautam

understand that

in this struggle

for existence ‘n’ excellence

I am no better than

germs ‘n’ worms.