Atithi Devo Bhava...

by Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

(Guest is like God)

He was a tourist guide much sought after;
His wit and humour evoked much laughter.

Foreign tourists were often referred to him,
Because of his English knowledge and vim.

He would regale the tourists with witty anecdotes,
While on the history of the royal palaces and forts.

He was handsome and had great charm,
And a smile, that’d often anyone disarm!

Obviously, he was quite a hit with the females.
For them, he always had some ‘special’ tales!

A few female tourists obliged him “all the way”
And this gave him a misplaced sense of sway!

There was this lady tourist with an indifferent air.
She did not about anything or him, seem to care.

As was his duty, he showed her all the places
And tried to woo and win her in lonely spaces!

He wondered, why at all she was there;
Her indifference to him seemed so unfair!

Of any interest in him, she gave no sign;
Rejected his invitation to wine and dine.

He was completely obsessed with her,
And felt all kinds of desires in him stir.

Her visit to the place was nearing its end,
And in no way could he, her resolve bend.

His chances with her appeared very dim,
As she continued to steadily ignore him.

Finally, at this place, it was her last night;
By then, he’d lost sense of wrong and right.

He entered her hotel room using force,
With just that one intention of course!

In one swift move, he was on her all over
And felt a great surge of desire and power.

At last with this woman, he had his way,
As she lay, unable to do anything or say.

Sated and fulfilled, he fell fast asleep,
To get up later with a hangover deep.

Not finding her anywhere around,
His heart started to loudly pound.

The hotel desk told him, she’d checked out
And that left him feeling further like a lout.

They handed him a large-sized envelope
That had some cash, a note and a rope.

He pocketed the cash and opened the letter
And what he read there, gave him a jitter!

“Welcome to the world of AIDS!” it read
“Use the rope to hang yourself” she said.

23-May-2013

More By : Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

Views: 1623 Comments: 15

Comments on this Poem

Yes, agree with you Nathmalji. Thanks for your positive feedback.

Padmaja Iyengar
09-Jun-2013 00:54 AM

Bad intension always gets bad result at last.You depicted it very well.Thank
you Mam.

Nathmal Sharma
08-Jun-2013 13:37 PM

Thanks Rohini.

Padmaja Iyengar
01-Jun-2013 22:06 PM

Loved the poem

Rohini Rao
01-Jun-2013 12:59 PM

Thanks Shernaz for liking this poem.

Padmaja Iyengar
26-May-2013 09:16 AM

Well narrated, Padmaja. Liked the way you have taken it to its anticlimax.

Shernaz
26-May-2013 00:36 AM

Thanks Hema for liking this one. yes Prabha, completely agree with you. Thanks for your insightful feeedback.

Padmaja Iyengar
25-May-2013 08:54 AM

Excellent naration.This shows that the guide didn't understand the true meaning of "Athithi Devo Bhava". Jab bure karmo ka phal milta hai tab vo bahut hi bhari padta hai.

Prabha Ramadurai
25-May-2013 01:22 AM

The ending is superb.....

Hema Ravi
24-May-2013 10:39 AM

Thanks Renukala.

Padmaja Iyengar
24-May-2013 07:00 AM

A good message

t n rao
24-May-2013 06:27 AM

another fantastic piece by you, like it

Renu kala
24-May-2013 04:03 AM

Many thanks Rupradha and Kulbir for liking this one.

Padmaja Iyengar
23-May-2013 12:37 PM

Excellent narrative with a touching climax!

Kulbir
23-May-2013 10:35 AM

amazing!!

Rupradha
23-May-2013 06:38 AM