What's in a Name ??

this verse is a sarcastic take on the caste system prevalent in India . i wont take the credit for this poem cause it has been penned down by a friend of mine ..

WHAT’S IN A NAME..??

It’s just a means of addressing those whom we don’t know personally…
For addressing near ones,much better terms are in place,
Yet,it’s amazing how much importance we attach to a name…
As if we all are a pack of jokers,with our names being our only ace

Standing for an election…
Keep in mind the most important criteria,
Which is not your proficiency as a public servant…
But the number of people with whom you share your surname in your area

Unknown people suddenly become buddies …
Because they share the common surname,
Befriending people from other communities & ‘so called’ castes…
Is what they consider a social shame

On the other hand,two people with everything in common…
Understanding each other better than anybody else ever may,
Can’t stay together for life…
Just because they pronounce their respective surnames,in a slightly different way!

One guy commits a crime…
and several others pay a heavy price,
Because sharing their surnames with the former…
Is their only vice!

People may achieve a lot of progress…
Garner heaps of wealth,name and fame,
But it’s all of no use,If they don’t stop asking each other…
“may I know your surname?”

Reviews

[Hamkar]

"One guy commits a crime…
and several others pay a heavy price,
Because sharing their surnames with the former…
Is their only vice!"

I think that is clever. It all is. Well done on this one, a very original point of view on names.

[deeps]

People may achieve a lot of progress…
Garner heaps of wealth,name and fame,
But it’s all of no use,If they don’t stop asking each other…
“may I know your surname?”

I loved this stanza here,
This is wonderful.