Child Labour

By Agnes Salome Jaison

Walking down the lane

With many thoughts in my brain

Something makes me turn and look

Two children urging me to buy a sticker book…

I politely nod and refuse

But they wouldn’t take any excuse

“We haven’t eaten anything” they say

“If you buy some… it would save our day”

Many such children I see daily on the road

Running behind people carrying their load

At so early an age

Having to earn their wage…

Like other children of their age

They do not have the privilege

Their father and mother also earn

But still for their daily bread they yearn…

Enacting laws against child labour

Setting up schools for them to learn

Giving them free meals of flavour

We have done so much for their concern

But still our future generation

Is slogging to bring home their contribution

This situation will only improve

If from distress, their family also we remove…

By Agnes Salome Jaison