Simple Pleasure

A hot summer’s day.
The harvest is over.
The lands await ploughing.
The ground is parched
Await the rains like Chatakas.
The brilliant Sun is furious.
People venture not from their homes.
As the train crawls,
I see not a soul –
Not even a cow.
A village or two pass by
And the third is seen.
From the distance I notice
A half-naked urchin.
No shirt, no shoes.
He runs as if his life depends on it.
As the train slows to a stop,
He reaches my window.
He gives me an innocent smile.
His face radiant with joy.
I ask him, “What?”
But receive no answer.
As the train starts, he calls to me
And waves with all eagerness.
What would I not give to acquire a smile so innocent?
His only worry – he mightn’t reach in time to wave!
How I long to be pleased by such small insignificant things?

Comments

ammani said…
Lovely!
8/1/09 7:49 PM
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