He doesn't have a warrant,
nor is there any case filed against me
but,
his eyes search intensely for me
while I cringe in fear and humiliation;
here, life is
a cops and robbers game.
II
When one gets a seat
the notice board
becomes an informer,
while fellow students become para-military squads,
until I finish my course
I am Christ carrying the cross.
III
After I get a job
my reservation becomes Judas
selling me off for my enemies' mockery,
like I have no merit
except that piece of paper;
when the Tumkur B.E.,*
smirks maliciously at me
I hang as a tear drop
from the thorn of many boycotts.
IV
Now it has become my crown,
the sword hiding in my scabbard,
my caste certificate
shall become the foreword
of the new history I shall write.
My translation of Madduri Nageshbabu's Telugu poem 'Caste Certificate' (from his collection of poetry 'velivaaDa').
* Tumkur B.E: refers to someone who has an engineering degree obtained from a private college funded by capitation fees.
Tags: Madduri Nageshbabu