The girl of twelve told me, <br />A different but then the same story, <br />That boy of four told me, <br />His idea of what life should be. <br /> <br /> <br />But I different from them, <br />And yet the same. <br />Couldn't understand that life's game, <br />Couldn't even spare THEM, <br />These very newly arrived, happy and eager ones. <br /> <br /> <br />Their laughter, giggles and grin, <br />Their baby souls with hardly a sin, <br />Would eventually face such challenges, <br />That even many adults wouldn't. <br /> <br /> <br />These were children of another reality. <br />But these children were just like others, <br />With conditions laid harshly down on them, <br />And called to live up to them, <br />If they could. <br /> <br /> <br />The pavement children of India watched, <br />The world swirl around them. <br />Yet they were not a part of that motion. <br />Their own world stood still, every minute and hour. <br /> <br /> <br />These children's eyes looked far away, <br />That was not a child's mode. <br />These children's eyes looked hungry, <br />For that food in that beggar's bowl. <br /> <br /> <br />I stood next to them, <br />I sat next to them. <br />I looked at them. <br />Then I did not looked at them. <br /> <br /> <br />I looked at them. <br />They looked at me. <br /> <br /> <br />Then for that one quantum which seemed an eternity, <br />My heart's soul shrieked. <br />Walking away from them, <br />Never resolving their angst, <br />Not knowing how to. <br /> <br /> <br />I now saw from the <br />Salty wet curtains of my eyes, <br />A small boy running to me, <br />With arms full of garlands and presents. <br /> <br /> <br />He with no possessions, <br />Bestowed gifts on me. <br />He with no possessions, <br />Smiled and smiled gleefully. <br /> <br /> <br />With the hugs he received at the airport's tarmac, <br />I turned my back to him to board my plane. <br />Back to the U.S., <br />Never again to be the same. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Then returning a year later with toys, <br />Candies and smiles for India's children again.<br /><br />Vera Sidhwa<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/children-on-the-streets-of-india/
