Unjust Repentance – Weed

He was the brightest of the lot
envied by his peers
abhorred by the dorks
for he could spell maths in his dream
science was his favorite
a whiz kid never before seen

He spoke with elegance
wore myriad skills on his arms
excelled in school challenges
never desired anyone harm

While knowledge was his friend
he was born introvert
he didn’t have the suave
to be considered for the cool kids’ club

So, he remained upset
and always appeared gloom
despite his innate skills
his social life was doomed

He wanted resurrection
he longed for respite,
he was tired of being called
the leader of the nerds

He expressed his stigma
to an acquaintance he knew
expressed his eagerness
to be part of the group

The person he knew
was a born rogue
he pulled him
into the dark side of the world

To be part of the clan
he had to behave like one of them
a few puffs of weeds
was all he was asked to do

He thought it was just a few drags
how would it harm
if others had so far not withered
let him use it as a ticket to gain some charm

All his principles, his goodness
had gone out the door
the day he took
the first puff of dope

Sure, he got the ticket
he so dearly longed
but in the process
he got himself wronged

Few puffs turned to
many doses a day
his life was in smokes
addiction soon dragged him away

The innocent good student
the shimmering bright future
the doting aspirations
all sadly came to a tragic end.


This poem is written in response to the ‘Freedom of Expression Tag | Topic – Weed’ for which I was nominated by Jaya

Jaya, thank you for recommending me. It was a great topic to write, something I feel strongly about. I appreciate you keeping me on your mind.

Copyright © Shantanu Baruah

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52 thoughts on “Unjust Repentance – Weed”

  1. This is so true. People do what not all in the name of being accepted in that cool group.. Thank you for writing this and sharing such great thoughts with everyone.

  2. Fitting in has made people do those things which they never dreamt of doing in their wildest dreams. They desperately want others to accept them. Very strong and inspiring poem. 😊

  3. yes you definitely are doing a lot of things.One good side of traveling without kids..here I wait everyday to get back to hotel to reply to WP

  4. Very well written with such a powerful message. Many times the absence of love and acceptance for yourself can become an open door of destruction.

  5. Hi Shantanu,

    There are many messages in this post.

    But the one I relate to most is that it’s okay to be who you are.

    The lack of self-acceptance cause people to act out in many ways.

    Thanks and excellent writing!

  6. Brilliant narrative and commentary – it must be an all too common scenario, sadly. Poetry is simply the best form to express so much with an economy of well-chosen words; I am in envy of your ability.

  7. wowwwwwww very powerful poem …. fan of yours ..so much to learn from you bhai 🙂

  8. “Very well written with such a powerful message. Many times the absence of love and acceptance for yourself can become an open door of destruction.”
    Upon reading this, it seemed vaguely familiar. During the time I wrote this comment, I was amazed how parallel this piece was in comparison to a young man was at this very place. His first hit of Weed was in Middle School. He became addicted, moved on to Meth and trouble with law. Refusing help and has become a wanderer, an addict chasing after what he thinks makes him popular. That was to be accepted, rejecting love from his family and so many who tried to help him.
    Thanks for the reminder, as I still keep this young in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for posting.

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