On Hustle Culture, and the Pursuit of Always Being Busy

We walk upon empty streets,

heads-down but eyes forward -

no time to greet.

Sprinting towards our goals;

we choose not to know what our eyes don’t explore.

There will come a time of festivity and fair fortune;

something of meaning, worthy of devotion,

Will my eyes be sewn shut? Will my heart be open?

If we train our eyes forward, lacking emotion,

without the joy or celebration, it leads me to question

if a world without true happiness is one I would like to live in.

• Keerthi Nair