Countless times we spot

Women on streets in rags

Impoverished and famished

Infants ******* their empty *******

Otherwise pretty but circumstances ugly

Causing anguish, deep distress

But we still look away !



Countless times we encounter

Children on streets instead of schools

Hungry, shabby and unhealthy

Eyes speaking million sad stories

Otherwise naive but circumstances tragic

Eliciting deep sympathy

But we still look away !



Countless times we observe men

Wandering aimlessly

Rustic, crude and cynical

Bursting with energy but unemployed

Otherwise hopeful but circumstances adverse

So soul rending

But we still look away!



Poverty, illiteracy unemployment

Forming a vicious loop

Social conscience navigates

Whispers panacea

Teach one, feed one

Moral imperative calls

But then, why look away ?