The Arrogant Man

He was born a landlord—

rich in inherited properties.

But times changed,

people began to value jobs,

more than land.

He was raised with the mindset:

We are rulers,

we don't work for others,

we keep peasants.

That thinking was dangerous.

He ended up poor—

but the arrogance.

grew only.

He would bring his buffaloes,

to bathe in public ponds

and shout at people:

“Our ancestors made this pond!

You poor folks—get out.

My animals will soak here!”*

His house was crumbling.

His daughters remained spinsters.

The last time I saw him,

was in a public place.

I was traveling,

about to board a shared vehicle.

A gentleman I knew,

asked me to switch to another one.

I followed,

and later asked him why.

He whispered,

“Didn’t you notice?

That man had maggots in his ulcers.”

That abandoned man was,

the arrogant landlord.

Now, avoided by everyone.

Just a day later,

I heard of his death.

Poverty is depressing,

Sickness is another layer,

to that pain.

If we don’t bend,

to the changes of time,

if we refuse to adapt.

if we belittle people,

we become fossils,

arrogance is self-sabotaging.