I sit here in my class room
And see the proff delivering a lecture
On Bernard Shaw.
I look around at my class mates
Boring disinterested faces greet me.
Some reading novels
Some fiddling with their cell phones
Still others, making a brave effort
Not to doze off.
And me..?
I am trying to scribble something
To distract my attention
From the seductive call of sleep
A bus honks by rudely
I disinterestedly look outside the window
My gaze is held.
I stop, and stare.
Outside the premises,
Is a bustee
I see a poor boy
Peering attentively at something
He is six years old, maybe seven.
I crane my neck to intrude into his privacy
What I see, sends a chill down my spine
He is holding a paper,
And the refill of a pen -
Probably thrown out by one of us
And he is trying to write something!
I look back towards my class.
I see my designer clothes
I see my Woodland shoes
I see my air conditioned class room
And my expensive leather bag.
I see my brand new texts and copies
And for the first time,
I feel a pang of guilt in my heart!!
4 comments:
touching re, even i have felt the same some times. I think what we should strive for is to make a difference to such people in whatever way we can.
privilege and oppression!
the great indian divide :) it reminds me of 'city of joy' when the extravagant author pledges to never to throw away food after he sees a child go without food for 3 days.
nice one :)
very nice!!very touchy...all f thm actly!!gt thm published:)
@ Ajish:
True... we should actually do what little we can. Sad that so many people realize it and yet so few do anything about it.
@ Niladri:
Dichotomy has been a prime characteristic of all economies, isn't it? City of Joy by Lapierre nah?
Me read it too.
@ Srirupa:
Thanks sweety... but publishing? No!! You need much for that than this.
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