THOU
MONEY! JANUS-FACED GODDESS
Dr.
E. Pullaiah
You are an indispensable part of life.
Can we live without you?
In ore, naked and neglected,
But with brand, your value multiplied.
When in the guise of metal or paper,
You are a priceless treasure,
Offering every kind of pleasure.
How fortunate you are
To have innumerable admirers,
Who ever move around you
Contemplating life a bed of roses.
Blessed are some,
But cursed a large multitude.
Your dwelling is a kingdom
Without frontiers,
Seeking abode freely wherever you desire;
Unable to understand your movements,
We are at sea.
You are a good servant,
But, why be a bad master?
You unite and divide people
With lion’s share in all evils.
Pure love measured by you
Loses it’s sanctity.
Neither the rich, nor the poor
Are happy with you.
The rich restless, ever-hankering after you,
The poor, ever struggling for alms.
Sorry to censure you;
You are pure in heart,
It is we who make it
A heaven out of hell, or a hell out of heaven.
Do you incline to impose the rule?
Having money in limits.
Is a blessing and a boon,
But hoarding more than wanted
Is an uninvited guest.