Boon And Curse

As a boon, relieving children from year long penance, the schools were closed Like birds released from cages They enjoyed freedom reaching out everywhere. They made friends and played With the wind and clouds. Love was in their heart for all. Under the tall mango trees Laiden with ripe golden fruits They made playgrounds They were seen everywhere- Atop the gooseberry tree, The cashew tree and the like, In places of worship, In farms and mills and In market places too, They had gone fishing, boating And water-sporting and Returned home as scheduled Many had made themselves Epitomes of success And roll models of the society I sympathise today's children. For such past times and such funs Are foreign to them, They succumb to a world Within four walls brooding over A lost computer game Surrendering their minds and bodies To premature decay