Another Mortal Life

My happiness knows no bound for the last two-three days, I mean, from the moment I am sure I won't be doing any course in C-slot (the three days a week, 8 am class) and almost certainly the D-slot that follows it will also be free. I would've writen something on it, but I remember Kunal Chandra wrote something for the Contact, 2005 (the annual magazine of the institute). And I obviously can't better him. Though chemical engineering runs heavily in his blood, still, others too can equally relate to this poem:


Waking up one morning I looked around to find an austerely mighty abode.
Austere was the clock that had rang a minute ago; mighty was the time that flowed.
The habitat did not promise much but the habitant must take the less trodden path.
Quick decision was to be taken to prevent the aftermath.

Sense of achievement if expressed would make me sound complacent
Desiring more would accuse me of ambitious intent.
The elation had sunk and so had the dreams so passionately reared.
But the preachers of eleemosynary had promised more to this world.

More men who can transfer the heated agitation from hot to cold.
More men who can repeat the story oft retold.
More men who can fix the bed for catalyst to sleep.
More men who can drill oil which is set so deep.

And three years ago my biggest achievement had brought my greatest trial
When I was ordained to set the stage for water to boil.
Many had done it before and many would when I am gone
Plagiarism would still prevail and nothing new would ever be drawn.

Fluid would flow and mass would be transferred.
Minors would be written and majors will be answered.
Plants would not lose if I am not there
And the cakes would still filter with the primary layer.

Tubes would be laid and pitches will be defined
My existance cannot make a difference to the crude to be refined.
Transducers will guide the valves and controllers will be set
Assignments will still be derived from the net.

Am I quetching or is this true?
Will I ever design a reactor that is new?
Would I ever be able to defy the existing norms?
Or will my success eternally be dependent on McGraw-Hills and dot coms?

Thinking thus, I gazed once again at the time that flowed
And quickly realizing I can never walk a less trodden road
I decided, brushing away every thought
It is not worth attending the C-slot. "


Thanks Kunal. The poem helped me to not have any inclination for registering any C-slot course, and chemical-engg-OC in particular! And now when I publish this post at 3:30 am my decision goes on to be rock-solid.