Mask Of The Respected Poem by Akham Nilabirdhwaja Singh

The officer schemed for years
amassing a fortune.
After retirement
he wished to pursue honour
and seek a title.

Although wealthy persons
are respected in society,
their sources of wealth
may be unethical.

Wishing to be remembered
in times to come -
and even after death -
as a great man,
he joined clubs and organisations,
donating to noble causes.

So titles were offered
positions granted
at the functions and meetings
he entertained, and he walked
through the crowd,
serene with a grin.

People whispered
nodding in awe:
'This is the life
we should aspire to -
we should be like this.'