suffer

this poem is about my reaction to child labour in India. A specific child.

For every mumble that comes out of your mouth
I foresee a cry-
a cry for help
a cry for salvation

you come to me as if you were my fetus,
inconceivable child
and I were your eternal protection

you stand behind me unintentionally folding your youthful back
that was once treated like a worthless cheap commodity
and housed the suffering of incurable scars

so defensive you were with fingers clasped from terror
against those who gave you moonless nights,
no sleep but dreadful shivers

sweat dripping, racing to the ground I remember
heartbeats heard from every angle of sound
feet soaked with mud and dung
skeleton with more bones than flesh

you sought my assistance
my approval
my care

from the trouble
the turmoil
the toil

I take you in into my secret
heaven-like sanctuary
come into me child I say
like a sacred mother

a string of hope we both shall share
and dreamy nights with stars that glare
together we shall transcend into the future
aimed with hope and prayer for a better future