What Can It Do? Poem by Somali Mukherjee

Fame? What can your fame do,
Unless you be a real human being?
Name? What can your name do,
Unless you know how to love
A helpless, hopeless living being?

Recognition? What can it do,
Unless you learn true forgiveness?
Eminence? What can it do,
Unless you help those,
Who are struggling against utmost distress?

Have you ever fancied,
Who has brought you up?
Have you ever fancied,
Who has been your life's guide-map?

Performance? What can it do,
Unless you show your gratitude
To your benefactor?
Eligibility? What can it do,
Unless you perceive any kind of matter?

Career? What can it do,
Unless you stand beside the destitute?
Leadership? What can it do,
If nothing you can restitute?

Optimism? What can it do,
Unless you be a real optimist?
Theism? What can it do,
Unless you be a true theist?