THE PALSIED CHILD
A child fell down beside and looked upward at me.
He had a covered eye that had some surgery.
He looked so scared as if to ask, "Have l done wrong?"
He had a palsied face and defects from his birth.

He was about three years, quite thin and with no charm,
but fear was so apparent on his childish face.
I smiled, looked down and said some reassuring words.
He went on with his frown as if he knew his life.

His mother came, and l went on along my way.
For him, l felt so sad and had a sharp heartbreak.
The strongest people feel not sure how to face life.
What will he do? I asked myself with tearful eyes.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
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