Photo Credit: http://latarablanca.org/SCR%20page.html
I don’t earn much
in my day
and I always
have to save
to buy the
things I need
to stay alive
-mostly food and water-
but it’s so
very nice
when I buy candy
at the store
I don’t need it
I want it
It’s the only
sweet thing
in my bitter life.
We all have our reasons for wanting to leave this life, sometimes. Although, deep down, we know that our troubles are probably not as bad as most people’s…
Image Credit: http://carmensandiegotravel.blogspot.com
– 11-year old boy who has been living on the streets since he was 9. Shoppers in the background. Kathmandu, Nepal, 2006 –
Something is happening
the ground is softening
here where I lay
the people passing
still are rushing
but getting farther away
there is a feeling
heart is beating
slowly into calmness
something is shining
mind is reeling
so much joy and gladness
angels singing
no more suffering
peace instead of strife
breath is waning
soul is lifting
ready for the other life.
Day 9 of 2013 November PAD challenge.
What do kids value these days? Their iPads? iPhones? Skateboards? Pillow pets? DS? Really, I could go on about it.
But do they know there are thousands of kids out there who value something so small that most people just throw away?
Inanimate Object
a battered, old thing
fished out of the trash
no holes, that’s good
it can hold cash
on a rainy day
fresh water to catch
and in the river
a scooper for a bath
most precious possession
priceless tin can
Day 8 of 2013 November PAD challenge.
It’s no secret. Street children will do anything to earn money, no matter how hard (or dangerous), to survive. I remember seeing these kids everywhere in Manila…
Photo Credit: http://trinitychildrenshome.com/photos/
Hardship
I’ve reached the bottom
The worst part
I’m not alone
See my cart
Filled with invisible, heavy stones
It is my livelihood
I push it everyday
Through the streets
Come what may
On my sore little feet
Each bottle equals money
Plastic, glass, or tin
Small or super-sized too
In my cart they all go in
All day it’s all I do
A simple transaction
Get paid a small fraction
To buy a tiny portion
Of bits I could fashion
Into something I call “food.”
Day 7 of 2013 November PAD challenge.
