I Die A Little Bit

By Inderpreet Kaur

Somewhere in my consciousness,

I die a little bit every day,

When I see a stray mother searching for shelter to protect her puppies,

- and I couldn’t do anything,

I die a little bit.

The tastefulness of a variety of cuisines suddenly relish nothing,

When I notice the eyes of those children,

I can feed them once, not forever;

I die a little bit.

While waiting in the traffic for a green signal, when a little boy pleads me to buy a balloon,- and even if I buy one,

This won’t help him get educated;

I die a little bit.

There are moments when I observe the desire in the eyes of that little servant carrying the school bag of his Master’s son,

His excitement and dream of wearing a school uniform shatters my heart;

And I die a little bit again.

Even after so many mannerisms, we’ve miserably failed to teach our children empathy, and respect for every creation irrespective of the differences we all are gifted with;

I endure melancholy that I could not transform those children.

I die a little bit.

Recently, I worshipped in the evening, and headed upon an old man guarding the place in that tearing winter;

Managing to keep himself warm in a cardigan, where I was wearing too much to cover myself,

Down-hardheartedly I couldn’t help him wondering, “If he will accept my aid?” I quietly walked away;

Where in my heart, I die a little bit by-and-by.

Then I met an old maidservant toiling hard for her bread and butter,

Just my Grandmother’s age trying to feed her grandchildren,

I realized I would’ve never made her do any chores, but I was unable to help the old woman;

I die a little bit, or maybe a liitle more this time.

And with each and every moment passing by in my consciousness,

Where I thought, I could help or maybe I could heal,

I think I couldn’t do anything to change it;

I die a little bit,

Just a little bit every day.

By Inderpreet Kaur