Bridges, not Walls. Poem by Nabakishore Dash

Bridge connects a bank,
over a body of water
to another bank,
linking village to town,
town to city and so on,
never knows whether
a rich or a poor,
a black or a white man,
a Hindu or a Muslim,
a living or nonliving
crosses over it,
does not entertain any
man-made distinctions
into its sphere,
welcomes all on its body,
neither compliments nor loathes.
Only eases the troubles
in the passage
implying its devotion to duty,
Equality for all,
two very powerful messages.

I am sure it would ruin
its own existence the day
it raises its head from the slumber to see these
absurd unfounded disparity.
None other than men
would display their barbarity
to crush its reality.

Many bridges have been built
over the years to connect geographical regions.
But Alas, all technologies
so far developed have
failed miserably to create
adhesion and cohesion
among the people and Nations.
Rather walls have been built
to keep us alienated physically
and emotionally.
Hundred eight nations
in nineteen fifties have now
become almost two hundred,
joint families converted
to nuclear families,
misunderstandings have
increased tremendously
between nations and families
afflicting us socially.
If chips in electronics
would generate friendship,
Computers would create compassion and satellites
can transmit forbearance
and fraternity,
create emotional bridges
that connect our hearts and
shatter the walls of enmity,
a future world
free of misunderstanding,
travesty and cruelty would
usher in hopefully.