Of the past it hurts me most
Haunts and pains at my own cost
A pinching, pricking, piercing feel
That throws me down and puts on knees!
In a summer day of scorching sun
All sweat and wet I had my meal
A frugal meal on that cheerless day
In a roadside restaurant in fume and steam.
Drawing back to the glowing light
A found a woman of bone and skin
A weedy, weak old age prisoner
A frail, fragile, famished figure!
On my face fell her pleading eyes
" Boy, buy a meal for me, please",
She cried and cast a smile of hope
And struggling stood on the restaurant side.
My fingers raided my pocket's depth
Probed and found a rarest find
A five rupee note in its secret slit
To be my ticket fare to generosity!
A sudden fear of uncertain meals
Ahead in my campus days
Stung me like a scorpion black
And nipped the bud of benevolence!
Away I walked with hasty steps
Into the nasty world of 'selfish care'
The merciless sun was raging hot
No soothing wind in that raining heat!
My care of cash on that spiteful day
Blows out my peace day after day
The 'Dooms-day' trial in store for me
"I was hungry; you fed me not".
