Slum Kids

By Akriti

I look at the kids in my street

running barefeet

with dust in their hair

and light in their eyes

they live in the slums

at the backside 

of our neighbourhood

their thin perfectly tanned bodies

don’t feel the heat of the sun

shabby clothes hanging on their shoulders 

they play with the mud and stones

their parents work all day every day 

and in the evenings 

they take them to  the local shops

to buy tobacco and candy 

and bangles and what not

they struggle for their daily meal

and yet there is a shine in their eyes

the sun itself can’t compete

they love their tea with extra sugar

the sweetness of which you can see

in their smiles

i taught one of those kids

a ten year old boy

how to write the english alphabets 

he wrote his name 

at the front page of his notebook 

with a half chewed pencil in his hand

gave me a smile so bright 

it could light up the sky 

a thousand times 

that smile felt like a reward 

i didn’t deserve

the other day i saw a little girl

blowing bubbles 

outside a tarpaulin tent, her home

beside her laughing at the bubbles 

was a half naked toddler 

sucking his muddy thumb

they can’t afford fancy clothes 

and expensive toys and yet 

they have learnt how to be content

because happiness is free

and so are the kids in my street 

running barefeet

with dust in their hair

and dreams in their eyes.

By Akriti