A
woman
head
covered with a dust-encrusted and torn saree
sits
on the street of a suburb of Mumbai.
Decrepit,
body bent
a
picture of desolation.
Her
worldly possessions--- three tiny bundles.
Only
companion, a stray dog
whom
she calls her son and though
she often
cries hard, the stray
wags
its tail and licks her
withered
visage, its eyes innocuously
looking
at the hot tears, flowing down
a
leathery skin.
It
is a daily scene witnessed by a girl-child.
The
rest of the town is praying
and
fasting for the blessings
of
the Mother Goddess,
she
never was.
Sunil Sharma is a senior academic, literary
editor, freelance journalist and writer from Mumbai, India.
In a few lines the tragedy of poverty and despair are recounted. Well done!
ReplyDeletewhat a sad but extremely moving write
ReplyDeleteVery moving.
ReplyDeleteI'm really touched by the scenery you describe in this poem, Sunil.
ReplyDeleteThe unprejudiced and unconditional love of the dog makes the story more poignant. Very well written, thank you for sharing.
Best wishes,
Inge
My heart pounds as I read your passionate poetic message within your poem, Sunil. You capture a view of poverty with bold images that speak the truth about a severe problem in our world. Thank you for sharing, "Cast-away among stones." Continued blessings to you!
ReplyDelete-MJ
(www.creativeinspirationspp.blogspot.com)
Fine written words Sunil, Perhaps all mortals are credited
ReplyDeletefor the person we never were
Knight Writer
Sunil, what a poignant poem that brought feelings of wanting to reach out and lift another. Thank you for the well written poem.
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Charlene