Poverty Lights

By Arushi (Aru Shan)

Are they one Are they four? I don't know about these crazy lights Are they moving; Are they drunk? I can't say about these hazy lights. Another miracle Another job gone I'm mocked at by these petty painted lights Could I just die? (The highway's not far.) I'm laughed at by these glowing lights. The endless sky The outstretching black The amusing — lustrous — stunning lights. The selfless black No identity it has All the credits to these icy lights. I toss a penny His empty bowl clinks Would we be fed, O merciless lights? Gathering men At bright happy shops We're not even visible, why? Overpowering lights.

I cross the street A dark kingdom The kingdom still waiting for those lights The rich is seen The poor — ignored Till when should we beg for our own lights? I enter my hut My mother — bed struck I give her the bottle of eternal delights She leaves me alone No tear though she's gone I sacrificed her to the ruling lights. Tomorrow I'll go On a hunt for a job Again in those same murdering lights.

By Arushi (Aru Shan)