Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Compare me to another…

Compare me to another when I am being lazy
Don’t tell me that my short hair makes me ugly, is against femininity.

Compare me to another when I am being an idiot
Don’t tell me off for vociferously opposing a riot.

Compare me to another when I am mean to someone
Don’t tell me off when fight suppression.

Compare me to another when I overstep boundaries
Don’t tell me off for refusing responsibility for another’s sins.

Compare me to another for being less smart
Don’t tell me off for merely not studying at dawn.

Compare me to another for being less efficient
Don’t tell me off for choosing my own right way of accomplishment.

Compare me to another for being loud and argumentative
Don’t tell me off for not being submissive.

Compare me to another for not being punctual
Don’t tell me off for questioning the reason for performing a ritual.

Compare me to another for lacking comportment
Don’t tell me off for choosing simplicity over adornment.

Compare me to another if I do not have the sportsman's spirit
Don’t tell me off when I play or dance and give it my very best (albeit poor) shot.

Compare me to another if I overspend on a regular base
Don’t tell me off for the odd impulsive purchase.

Compare me to another when I don’t live up to my claim
Don’t tell me off for fulfilling a promise despite the strain.

Compare me to another if I exaggerate my illnesses
Don’t tell me off for even those complaints that I understate.

Compare me to another when I am being insensitive
Don’t tell me off for my alternate perspective.

Compare me to another for my faults
Don’t tell me off for your perceived flaws.

Compare me to another if you must – Consistently
Don’t tell me off and praise me for the same deed, just as you please.

- Written on 21 October 2008.
- A conversation with a cousin triggered me to complete this long past written draft. I just typed in a poem I had in me since my preteen years. A thought I had articulated when in college, but not recorded as I have now.
- I think I thought better then and write worse now :)

1 comment:

Easwar Subramanian said...

Comparing you to another is unfair and a sheer baloney,
For a genius is beyond comparison with the ordinary.

Comparing you to another is unjust and leaves my heart asunder,
For a heart of gold holds no comparison with other hearts of blunder.