I walked down a street

with vendors pushing their carts

through a busy evening.

Amidst the hustle and bustle

my eyes caught the sight

of a child

carrying load twice his weight.

Smile snatched away

from his lips,now curled with pain.

He put down his load

and sat for a while

as sweat of hardship

broke on his tiny forehead;

before he continued on his path,

knowing he must move on,

knowing pain and hunger

but not love and warmth

as tears rolll down

 on his sun burnt cheeks.

For a minute,he forgot the burden

and his eyes twinkled

as he stared at a group of children

laughing and playing;

but he hears his name

and begins to toil again;

the unending heat,scorched his dreams.

People pass by

like puppets without a soul

as he walks on unseen and unheard…….