Rational thought stays silent
as majority opinion screams out loud
Merit lies low and sighs in exasperation
while mediocrity howls and shouts

The oppressed speak for the oppressor
Rapists and murderers demand justice
The drivers of progress are taken to task
while regression decides who should rise

Rational voices lost in the din
Of the white noise of a million opinions
Merit must serve power and privilege
For them to control and rule the billions

– Shafali R. Anand