A small town it was wearing a festive look <br />Brightly and colorfully lit were houses and roads <br />Celebrations were in the air in enjoyment of a festival <br />At a throw away distance in an abandoned shed <br />A girl aged four was attending her ailing mother <br />Eager and curious in knowing the commotion on the road <br />Out she came, leaning against the damaged wall <br />Watched she people greeting and hugging each other <br />She found children in all age groups in new attires <br />Walking along with their parents in jubilant mood <br />To the nearby temple to offer prayers and offerings <br />She looked herself in a broken piece of mirror <br />Dry and uncombed hair, soiled and torn dress reflected her <br />A deep sigh descended from her projecting her poverty <br />Hesitatingly she followed the crowd to the famed temple <br />Standing under a people tree at a safe distance <br />She saw the temple glowing with colors and lights <br />The idol was richly decorated with garlands and ornaments <br />People in ecstasy dancing and singing praising the Lord <br />Varieties of eateries and quality foods were offered to the God <br />A glow that was rare filled her eyes receiving the offerings <br />The items were new and were never tasted by her <br />When all the people assembled there left the place <br />Folding her tiny hands the girl stood before the idol <br />One question only she asked the God that never gets answered <br />Why I am deprived of the happiness which others <br />In my age group are enjoying? What is my fault? <br />God stood in silence as always while priest <br />Came to his rescue asking the girl to vacate the place<br /><br />Somanathan Iyer<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-destitute-girl/
