A Day In A Bank Poem by Devesh Path Sariya

My heart sank a little
as I ticked the very first checkbox
among all the income group options
on the bank form.

In a display of empathy,
the bank worker confided
that she too belonged to the same income group.

Together, we resolved to urge President Tsai
to raise our salaries and propel us
into the next bracket.

From a distance, we exchanged a high five
and shared a hearty laugh.
Having witnessed a wide range of account holders,
including those who make absolutely little on a salary
and those with vast fortunes, she remarked,
'The rich are never at ease
while filling out their forms.''

(Translation from Hindi by Shivam Tomar)