Paradigm Shift

Aribam Surjeet Sharma
In the course of centuries of history
Civilizations appear and disappear,
Some staying long; others briefly--
Their fates decided by paradigm shift.

Robust and fine is the civilization
If it changes its fabric of paradigm
From time to time as the need arises,
Thus enabling it to advance further.

Frail and dying is the civilization
If it can't change its fabric of paradigm
From time to time as the need arises
Thus unabling it to advance further

If a civilization outgrows its paradigm
It has to don a new fabric of paradigm
As when a child outgrow his clothing,
He has to don a new set of clothing.

With time the old fabric of paradigm
Woven of threads weak and frayed
Threads of old ideas and thoughts
Become ill fitting to a civilization

So a new vibrant fabric of paradigm
Woven of threads strong and fresh
Threads of new ideas and thoughts
Should be put on by the civilization.

Now, what about modern civilization.
Oh, it's changing its paradigm often
As too often as a child changes
Its set of clothing on sudden whims.

So, modern civilization is advancing
So fast but on a path of zigzags
Like a ship in storm of wayward winds
I am afraid it could have a shipwreck.