Namma Bengaluru (Our Bangalore)

The purpose of this poem is not to criticize, but to reflect.
Not just on WHAT we are doing, but HOW we're doing it.
Ask ourselves: Even if what we're doing makes sense, is this the best way?

---------
I remember a Bangalore green

Its roads lined with trees

Its weather, everyone’s envy

All day, a cool breeze

‘Twas the pride of India

Its Garden City, no less

Who could’ve thought this city of charm

Would end up in such a mess

But the state and people alike

Gave in to their innate greed

The once “pensioners’ paradise”

Was left to go to seed

Aye, a city must grow

To modern times, adapt

If only this were done with care

The changes would’ve been apt

But now just bricks and mortar

Stack up each corner and nook

Broken pavements, traffic and crowds

Anywhere you look

The summer sun now burns

As it does the city taunt

No escape from me, it says

Try as hard as you want

Oh, how the heart now yearns

For that cool breeze of yore

But the sad truth for one and all

Is, it’ll return no more