Less Than Nothing (An Ottawa Rima)
At a 'Senior Citizens' Club', one day,
There was an uproar; and during the row,
In Tamil most members did have their say.
Said Singh to Naidu: 'I could follow
Nothing at all of these Tamilian's fray.
But what it's about, I think you know?
Naidu replied: 'Less have I understood
Than yourself: my version would be no good'.
Rejoined Singh: 'How can you understand 'less'?
Less than nothing, can anything be? '
Caught unawares, but showing no stress,
Naidu reflected while sipping his tea.
He then said: 'I've misunderstood the whole mess;
And as you will surely agree with me -
Misunderstanding is much worse a thing
Than not understanding; hence less than nothing.
Dr. Tulsi Hanumanthu
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/less-than-nothing/
