A stones’ throw from my house
On the edge of the city
The roof had caved in
The door has long gone
She discovered she was not wanted
Her sister swallowed a dose of poison
Her mother sent her packing.
She was alone in this world
Traumatized, she ran away
She joined a group of street kids
No one for sure knew
How many fell prey to violence, drug, and despair
Filthy street urchin, she was to shoo away
She slept in the public garden
Brutality, indifference, degradation
Her band was of several
Another group by the riverside
Another by central hospital
Stark, open-mouthed, rude, dirty.
Somehow I could not ignore her
She had something in her soul
Her beautiful expressive eyes
Conveyed her zest and passion.
She was badly in need of help
I put her name to the group
A world in front of you
Go and get there- I told her once.
She was picked up be the street theatre group
Her acting quality impressed everyone
She drifted from one place to another
And she trooped into a surreal, imaginary life
And she would enact the scene with perfection.
A cop would kick her on the back
Another cop would shout-raise your right leg
Another would repeat-raise your left leg
She would inevitably fall down
Eerie silence followed by burst of laughter
She tried to do an impossible thing day by day.
She came back to me one day
She said-I never loose hope
I have believe in me
I have faith in myself
I feel proud and happy to be alive.
Her eyes were glistening
She smiled in tears.