What a bright day! <br />After too long, <br />It has been this way. <br /> <br />Look! Here she comes <br />Dressed in all her finery; <br />Bedecked with jewels. <br /> <br />Her rags are no less <br />Than fine silk gauze; <br />Her bandages— Ah, what precious accessories! <br /> <br />The moment she appears, <br />She creates quite a stir <br />Like ripples on still water. <br /> <br />Proudly she walks, <br />Exchanging pleasantries <br />Extending her paws for some money. <br /> <br />She smiles when she gets a dime; <br />Her nose-holes now visible. <br />Look! How striking! <br /> <br />Her toes— some crooked, about to dropp off; <br />Some already gone— <br />Look! How intriguing! <br /> <br />Yet she glides gracefully down the lane, <br />Stopping by to greet everyone on her way; <br />Humbly pleading for some charity. <br /> <br />Is she some royalty? <br />A daughter, a wife, a mother <br />Ostracized because of leprosy? <br /> <br />As she approaches me, <br />I can’t help but wonder <br />Can fate be this cruel to anybody? <br /> <br />21st October 2006 <br />12.24 pm<br /><br />asma bahrainwala<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-leper/
