Quid Pro Quo

Life is not a Quid Pro Quo
Nor eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth.

One happens in business and diplomacy
To follow this is their policy
The other flames the rivalry, feud or enmity
It can't be helped they get it in their legacy.

These two rule the countries and people
Do remember this fact so simple
Progress and development are for nations
Let them take care of it
Family and love are for individuals
Do what is fit.

These rules have invaded our life agenda
Because we take them as a big success funda
But remember, life is not a business in progress
Lack of this clarity puts the humanity in a mess.

All nations' top agendas are in unison
Dismally, human values are in diffusion
And the whole humanity is drowning
In the shallow idiotic abysmal rowing.

Reviews

[Tony Jordan]

Very well said indeed Bala.
Nations, no matter how principled they start out are always prone to going down the dark path - sometimes in pure ignorance.
The state is an entity in itself and people will be chewed up and spat out as it does what it does.
The only remedy will be found in the home.
Like antibodies - enough well rared people can reverse a nation's sickness.
Your words are deep and wise

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Tony, for your visit and appreciation.
You are right. It is only in homes that kindling of those fine values that can turn into virtues is possible. I liked what said;; like antibodies..
Keep visiting.:-):-):-)

[Michael S]

Thought provoking and graceful one.
These lines stand out in this write:
Progress and development are for nations
Let them take care of it
Family and love are for individuals
Do what is fit.

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Michael, for your visit and appreciative words..

[Satoshi IroTzu]

Respect, Bala

You wrote an eye opening poem, or a poem that reminds the people, about a true nature of politics.
Poem is in between a speech and a poem, leaving a reader satisfied in both.

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Satoshi, for visiting and appreciating. I feel the purpose is served when I get such reviews.. Keep reading..

[Shabeeh Haider]

You have hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately we do not have our priorities in order.

These are lovely lines:

"Progress and development are for nations
Let them take care of it
Family and love are for individuals
Do what is fit."

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you for visiting and sharing your views.
And thank you for appreciating those lines because they are my favourites too..

[Bear]

Critique: (Nor an eye for eye or tooth for tooth) eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth -- identifiers words needed

Review: Wow! This shows you have a sophisticated side, there are depths and layers of meaning in and between the lines. Being a smart writer and writing smart is seldem seen but that it what you have accomplished with this poem. Standing Ovation! I give it five out of five Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you very much for the correction. I shall pay more attention next time. I have edited it.
read moreThank you very much for the correction. I shall pay more attention next time. I have edited it.

Thank you for reading and for the appreciation. These words mean a lot to me.

[.]

A strongly written piece, Bala.

This is the second poem that i have read this evening where the poet is concerned about the morality of our world's societies and the dysfunctional ways of those in power. See Mallika Relives "How much more?", for further reading on a similar theme. Highly recommended.

Your words are written with a genuine sincerity and concern for our current failings as human beings. One can only hope that we can remain afloat and not sink into a quagmire of moralistic hopelessness.

A very thoughtful poem that makes one think closely about modern life and the world we live in. Nice work.

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Doodley for the review.
I have just read the poem ("how much more?). An amazing write on state of affairs today. Thanks for recommending this. You are right. Our concerns are similar.
Unfortunately there is nothing more we can do than expressing our concern and sharing thoughts.
But I see that all friends share same concern..
Thanks again for the review.. Keep reading...:-):-):-)

[Paul Bell]

Yes you can just see the nations in turmoil now. The people seek enjoyment at all costs. Morals seem to have gone out the window. Though, individuals might tell you this all started in the sixties.

[Bala Gorthi]

Very rightly observed, Paul! We can only hope some sense and sensibility in the individuals... read moreVery rightly observed, Paul! We can only hope some sense and sensibility in the individuals...
Thanks for reading well into the poem..thanks for the review....
Keep reading..

[christina sherin]

VERY NICE POEM. I ENJOYED READING IT

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you for the review. Keep reading..:-):-):-)

[christina sherin]

SURE I WILL.READ MY POEM TOO.

[Asante]

I deeply, deeply appreciate this piece, Bala.

This is so honest. What I took from it was that we internalize how we feel that the world should be run and we embed it into our personal lives, to the detriment of our loved ones. The world hardens us and our loved ones at home, our friends and such are the ones who suffer for it. Life doesn't need to be that. We don't need to be so "iron fist" to everyone.

"Progress and development are for nations
Let them take care of it
Family and love are for individuals
Do what is fit." -- I really treasured these lines above anything.

Excellent writing, as I've come to expect from you, Bala. Really loved this one. :)

[Bala Gorthi]

Yes , I get upset whenever I see this Qui pro quo( favor for favor) , "you scratch my back and I will scratch yours" everywhere. They are okay in corporates and diplomacy.....
We follow corporate culture in homes forgetting human values....
Thanks for your generous comments. I am humbled by your words.... :-):-):-)

[Asante]

Personally, I find it a beautiful thing to be bothered by these kinds of things. We've arrived at a point in time where the right way to go about it, in the minds of many, is to become insensitive to things that should bother us. Things that aren't right. You articulated it well, so I had to let you know! :)