The balloons, pink and joyous,  

Fly aloft as the furry breeze fondles,

The scratchy string tied around the finger,

Pulls them down and keeps them tethered.

The red light signals and the cars creak,

And the bony body in the traffic jam,

Squeezes between the glossy four wheelers,

Dangles the balloons at the sight of the child,

Sprightly and enthroned in the cozy car,

The scolding spears at her from the man on wheel,

To keep her afar from the child’s reach.

 

The car dashes off at the green light’s gleam,  

To be on time in the mega meet, summoned  

 To make one and all aware of self-sufficiency.      

The weighty wheels crush down    

 The girl’s brittle dream of silvery coins,   

To be earned in exchange of the balloons,

Obtained with the paltry wealth, amassed

With a long time’s wait,

Stifling some needs and wants.

………… Dr. Fathema Begum