Human Figures Made of Clay

Dismal tale of men and women in the dirty rail compartment
No conception of the charm being knitted by the movement
Of the necklace of gentle light in the pants shirts and blouses
All is too occupied in their struggle to notice the kind crescent 
As they are returning home from their respective workplaces

Piteous story of apathy and woe all of them are absorbed in
An old lady chewing parched rice taking it from a rusted tin
In a dark corner is seated a youth with shirt all bloodstained
Suffering from tuberculosis and looking very fragile and thin
A worthless life of empty existence still wretchedly retained

Though no threshold he will come across leading him to a
Plate of  rice and curry as at least one square meal a day
A hawker of playthings approaches them in a smiling face
A second vendor selling some human figures made of clay
A gloomy motion picture of life running in an unfair race


10/07/2017
Rhyme Time with 5 Poetry Contest sponsored by Laura Loo
Using the five words viz Piteous Bloodstained Threshold
Conception and Dismal
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Marine Avatar
October 10, 2017 at 5:54 AM
Your deep, sensitively observed view of humanity, the value of individual life, fragile as clay, is openly disturbing, and sadly, so easily passed by. In your poetry, you give recognition to the easily forgotten. Is that not the reason poets write? Reality nips at our hearts like little dogs do...not really a threat to our comfort zone, unless we experience the same horror...I am saving this as fav. Thank you for posting this!
Gupta Avatar
October 10, 2017 at 8:21 AM
Thank you for your down to earth interpretation ... I am glad ...
Murray Avatar
October 8, 2017 at 3:10 PM
All the time life is going on around us with stories to tell Probir. I still remember my 52 hour train trip in India.
Gupta Avatar
October 10, 2017 at 8:49 AM
Thank you, Jean ... you will find this picture almost every where ...
Roper Avatar
October 7, 2017 at 8:34 PM
so sad, Probir, enjoyed reading , luck in the contest Hugs Eve ~`*
Gupta Avatar
October 10, 2017 at 8:26 AM
Right ... A vast sea of humanity lives a sad life ... not just in India ... Thanks, Eve for liking the poem ...
Pandit Avatar
October 7, 2017 at 2:30 PM
A very sad picture you have painted Probir--it sure feels like poverty, pain, and daily existence of nothingness--well depicted! Best for a win!!
Gupta Avatar
October 7, 2017 at 7:54 PM
Thanks, Vijay ...
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