SHAME

 

A little girl stood on the pavement
Her hair disheveled- her nose running
Yet childhood grace made her radiant

The sky, the birds, the flowers, the crowds
She stood happily gazing around
Though born poor –her rapturous soul often forgot its bound

The milkman on his daily run-
The stray cattle mapping the roads at will
The little girl was at ease with all-she waved merrily and played in sun

In a park nearby, the children spotted her antics
They called her near and began to play tricks
They shouted commands and the urchin gleefully tried to placate


She bent down and howled like a dog
She hopped around and croaked like a frog
When dared to act like a bride- she promptly covered her head with her rag

A roar of laughter leered her-her bared torso entertained the bullies
The little beggar stood confused- uncertain of the response received
She was called a shameless hussy getting mastery at such a young age.


The child was hurt and utterly baffled
She knew not what had brought her such shame
She was taught a lesson in vulgarity-her innocence scorned and misjudged

~Jayanti Sinha~