I Count

‘Make me count’ I said

‘No’ They replied when they heard me at all

Or listened. ‘Make me count’ I said

They didn’t

I do not count, not to them

Who cares about a single drop of water

When there are many oceans

I am only a drop of water I do not count

Even though it is drops like me who make the ocean

‘The ocean’ they say ‘Where would the ocean go?’

Even the ocean, like me, does not count to them

What counts? The money stored

In countless accounts in Switzerland

And other such places. The money with which

 They keep mistresses Old and young

In luxurious flats in overseas countries

The money with which wives are pacified

Weighed down in gold and flashy cars

And expensive clothes

The money with which they pay for quality education

for their children

In countries with good roads and good schools

The money with which they buy more power

And steal more money

All the while telling me that I do not count

At least not to them

‘I do count’ I said ‘I do count’

My hopes will no more be trampled on

Nor will my rights be stolen

Because I do count

I will tear down your machinery of corruption I said

Because I do count

I will take back my country I said

Because I do count

I will take the reins from your hands I said

Because I do count

I will take the country for myself I said and for the others

The other drops of water who make up this ocean

I will take it back for us and for our children

For the ones who will build it

For the ones who will no more slave for meagre fares

Who will no more leave you to take the cake

While we struggle for the crumbs

I will take my country back I said

I will make myself count I said

And the first thing I will do I said

Will be to cast my vote.