Jagriti
 
 
No! Its not okay! Not for me!!
Not when a child works!
Not when a tender flower perishes in the cruel streets!
Not when a lovely kid burns his hands!
In the ruthless flames of selfishness!
In the shameless face of cruelty!
No! Its not okay! Not for me!
Not for you!! Not for us! Not for anyone!!
How could it happen? Who let this happen?
In this broad day light? In front of all the men?
That a six year ‘Karim’ is beaten?
Just he asked for more  ‘roti’?  After a day’s work ?
Oh! Shameless man! Oh! My dear friend!
Don’t be a witness! Mere witness!
To the wicked selfish bums!
That no one dares to oppose!!
Have you lost your soul?
Where has your  courage flown?
That you are looking for?
Not anymore! Not any more!
Not any further! No further!!
Wake up! Wake up! Never let a child perish!!
All due to this man-made cruelty!!
Shame on you! Shame on you all!!
Who don’t see sin in child labor!
Who suck the blood from the children!!
Perishes this society! Perishes surely it will!!
Not due to the enemies! Not due to the war!!
But at the curse of an innocent child!!
That he is snatched of his right!
That he is snatched of his childhood!!

 
                                                --Phani.Jee
                                                 dated 26th july 1999
 
                          The above poem was written against child labor and for Jagriti association.
 

 

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