Even now
As residents of the neighbouring apartments, in pre-Deepavali revels
Rend the peace; render the night hideous with 240 decibels…
I contemplate the serene wisdom of the ancient sage
Who counselled against rage, advised restraint with the adage
Of Yudhisthira, that troubled but patient ass of bygone age…
Even now
As the last ghastly Bollywood song fades, like a bad dream
Anon a Voice begins reciting Tambola numbers in soprano scream
Interspersed with inane jokes, in baritone bray
As hardened bandicoots flee in terror, their fur in disarray
Even now
In this dark noisy hour, when Despair threatens to cloak all humankind
Lo! The clouds disperse; Inspiration illumines my fevered mind!
Now we too can play Tambola; there’s no need for tiles
All we need are tickets; that Voice carries for miles!
Even now
I beseech thee, O Mighty Devi—thou who felled Mahishasura, that Incarnation of Ignorance!
Do shine Reason’s Light on these cacophonous fools; gift them Silence, common sense!
That our ears, and Earth, be spared their racket; that we may awaken from this deafening dreadful night
To the glorious Dawn of Deepavali – the Celebration of thy Light