May 5, 2014: (Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing series to preserve on the Internet the “lost” poetry of Naunihal Singh Layal, the “Tradesman Poet,” who I met in New Delhi in 1974. Some poems contain his original introductions. I have a self-published book of his that is disintegrating and falling apart and over the next year or so I will run and preserve all of his poetry here. This includes every word of the original introductions. Joe Gandelman. GO HERE to read past entries.)
Slogan of Demand
by Naunihal Singh Layal
It gives the psychological picture of the demand. Demand increases demand and the result is endless demands. By this man becomes old and decays. Demand slaves a man, and his ownershp thus turning him into a servant. The remedy lies in controlling the demand.
Demands multiplies demands,
It is the nature of demand.
Ultimately it commands a man,
And makes him slave in her hands.
Thus a person loses his “ownership”
Loses his “mastership”
Loses his “certainship”
Himself falls victim in demands grip,
Runs here and there,
Uses means foul and fair,
To obey his servants master (demand)
The result is degradation and disaster.
The slogan of the day,
Of every union by the way,
“To fulfill our demands”
Shouts, demonstrations and demands
Are based on wrong ideology.
Are placed on wrong psychology,
Which even Nature cannot fulfill?
The modern trouble, of the modern world,
Is to increase standard of living,
In spite of price increasing,
Of articles essential for living,
Is a matter of threatening,
Unrest & thrilling.
The remedy of this disease
Is to control and decrease,
The demand, desire and want,
And be wise and laborious as ant.