Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Cast-away among stones--By Sunil Sharma--India

Cast-away among stones

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.

7 comments:

  1. In a few lines the tragedy of poverty and despair are recounted. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. what a sad but extremely moving write

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm really touched by the scenery you describe in this poem, Sunil.
    The unprejudiced and unconditional love of the dog makes the story more poignant. Very well written, thank you for sharing.

    Best wishes,
    Inge

    ReplyDelete
  4. 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!

    -MJ
    (www.creativeinspirationspp.blogspot.com)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fine written words Sunil, Perhaps all mortals are credited
    for the person we never were
    Knight Writer

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sunil, what a poignant poem that brought feelings of wanting to reach out and lift another. Thank you for the well written poem.
    Sincerely, Charlene

    ReplyDelete