The Branded Grave

There came them calling themselves

A new species – ‘The Human Beings’

They did seem to be more intelligent

Than any others that the world was seeing!

They created the huge machines

And made them do wonderful things

They built and destroyed at will

And gifted themselves with incredible wings!

Fighting bitterly with each other at times,

They grouped and re-grouped again and again

None outside knew what went on

And within their walls there was loss and gain!

Gradually, the groups created identities

That defined everything that they used

The group of people were called a class

"How should we call the inanimate?”they mused!

But they never had to think for long

Ideas flooded their bottomless world!

As identities grew, so did their pride

“Brands”, they declared, and flags were unfurled!

They named everything that they owned

Rating these names against countable numbers

Some were rated more, some suffered ill-fate

Hatred grew, men and material were burnt in embers!

Groups were called castes and class

While materials was classified into brands

“Pedigree”, they said was dearer than life

Measuring their ego based on dollars and rands!

Their craving for brands grew and grew

Each man wanted the best even in his grave

Wanting nothing less than a branded adieu

He yearned to be called the classy and the brave!

The rituals during life varied with class

And in death the rule altered  not in the least

Some called it ego, others called it pride

But followed it as much in their fast as in their feast!

Nothing that they used was left unbranded

Except when it came to their final end

Until one day some of them decided

To brand the graveyard, calling it a classy trend!