Missing Childhood

By Mounika Kundurthi

Pure hearts, innocent smiles, tender hands exploited Doing hard, painful, and odd jobs in harmful places Body turned rough, soft palms hardened

Hearts became tough, sparkling smiles faded

Children are god and god reside in children

Then where is the mandir, at least roof is not present above If the bodies are malnourished, where does the inner god go

What do you want, how much you gain?

Wealth you pile up for your children progress

Fame and power that make you restless

What do you want, how much it cost?

Missing bodies, trapped in vicious circle lost their happy souls Blossoming lives and privilege of playful childhood The bright future world they hold for us.

Momentarily pleasures leave deep scars

With constant waning of hopes, desires and interests Twinkling stars fallen to ground and burned

Future citizens are crying in silence, do you hear.

By Mounika Kundurthi