Laments of The Footpaths

With an over-sized ripped shirt covering his tiny emaciated body, and a bowl in his fragile hands,

You would be able to discern him.

You'd see him adjuring for a penny, but receiving thrusts in return.

And you'd still see him smiling.

And won't your heart shatter at the sight?

Won't you be perplexed when you realise that your smile can never be as natural as his?

When the blanket of darkness is unfurlled upon us, and the world lays dormant,

He'd be shivering and snivelling on the footpath over the shoe marks.

Surrounded by stray dogs, he'd push aside the wine bottle that was hurled on him, so that he can unroll his legs a bit more.

And leisurely, he would enter his dearest dream of being affluent;

You'd see dried mark of tears on his cheek and sempiternal peace on his face.

And when the sun peers, he'd be smiling that heart breaking smile again.

And when he spreads his tremblimg hands before you,

Requesting for the only thing that can cure his infant sister,

Will you too turn your deaf ear towards him?

When you see his eyes glimmering with hope,

Will you too break his heart like million others?

When he tells you he had been surviving on water for a week,

Will you too be able to eat pizza without having guilt in your heart?

And do you have the answers to these queries?

The next time you cross his path,

Will you not pause for a moment and converse with him?

Will you not rub his messy hair and give him something to calm his hunger?

And trust me love, when you do it, you'd be happier than having a pizza for yourself.

The next time you cross his path,

Will you again pretend to not hear his cries?