Crossroads
One person, homeless, in soiled clothes
stands at intersection of two roads, stares continuously towards the road
where palatial houses with beautiful flowered gardens are lined up.
Mesmerized imagines himself inside those bungalows
servants in queues, to serve masters, with best wines
and mistresses, bejeweled, freshly serviced from parlors
dining tables laid with tastiest food, excess later thrown in dustbins.
Thought of food makes him come out into the present, with a jerk
a pained cry emanates from his thin empty stomach
he had not chanced upon to eat food for days now
except for water which perhaps everyone could get free
but not anymore, water is also sold nowadays.
He is, no doubt, poor but surely owns some compassion for fellow beings
but who values it in today's world?
wants to earn his food, and other needs with his sweat
but who employs people in tatters except for exploitation, perhaps?
His attention gets drawn to other side of crossroads
he hears a faint noise of continuous cries emanating from a lame man, in rags, like him
who, with effort, is signaling for help
a nauseating smell is emanating from the lame
who apparently had not bathed, for long, for water is not anymore free.
Ignoring the stench, he comes near the lame
who indicates his utter state of thirst, through dry swollen lips
he falls into remorse as he is also helpless
a little less, maybe, he can still walk on his legs and seek necessities
with effort, he procures a bottle of water for the lame.
The lame man does not rise to drink it, alarmed he shakes him but alas!
the lame sleeps like a drugged man, with no troubles
his widely parted lips, however, betraying his peaceful demeanor
still waiting for their thirst to be quenched.
Disgusted, he prays god to transcend the lame to a planet
where he has access to basic things such as water
saddened, he slowly pulls himself back to the crossroad
looks longingly to that side with palatial houses
maybe he also wants to avoid the path of deprivation
and tread the path of being provided for, a more meaningful path.
When will they get right to live with dignity like a respected citizen?
feels anguished that poor people themselves do not have answers
to such simple yet important questions.
Wonders what stops people of palatial houses to let arrangements succeed
so that a helpless smelly thirsty hungry lame man need not go cold, waiting for water?
when would humanity's collective consciousness be fully awakened?
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