Tempest of time (poems)

Tempest of time (poems)

-Kondapalli Niharini

Translated by Elanaaga

12. Monopoly

It’s an indoor game that fell
into the hands of tiny tots.
Irrespective of the season
it gives a yield of bucks unseen earlier.
A nice game it is… that of e-business
No great fascination or rapture
in the distribution of intellect.
Only a win induces a glint in the tiny eyes.

Just with dice in hand,
he becomes equal to four players.
Buys all the towns; stows them aside.
Doesn’t know time’s passage shows life though.
Though he knows not that
no wealth follows us in the end,
though philosophy, risks of interest money
are unknown to him,
once the opponent’s token comes into his area,
he quickly earns money at an opportune time.
He may not sit with a sword on the thought horse.
Only a win induces a glint in the tiny eyes.

It’s a breath of life for his growing age
It gives an extra note to his sonorous song;
imparts a delectable pace to the heart.
Maybe his wheel of hopes is revolving well.
Though no one offers a cordial clue for a win
he rages like a relentless valorous warrior.
Only a win induces a glint in the tiny eyes.

He doesn’t know silence is not only
a half approval but a full one as well;
may not appraise the opponents well
but leads childhood with laughter.
Faces the challenges of opponents,
aims at the goal perfectly.
Doesn’t stop with lakhs but runs for crores!
Only a win induces a glint in the tiny eyes.

The game hands over the victory flag to only one.
It may know the secret of other’s deftness though.
The childhood whim keeps playing
Not even knowing the true nature of the secret treasury.
Only a win induces a glint in the tiny eyes.

He is a reigning king, an emperor;
a ‘monopoly’ that hid smiles in the pile of pots

He is a wish accomplished!

(After noticing the unusual ingenuity of my grandson Arjun while playing the Monopoly game)

*****

(To be continued-)