The cacophony on the street pierces the peace of wee hours,
I toss and turn, lulling myself to sleep.
The clamour rises, wide awake, I open my eyes,
Damning the noise, I pull the curtains to peep.
Straining my eyes onto the dimly lit road,
Hunched over the pavement, her frail frame I catch sight.
Isn’t she the little girl I encounter every day,
The urchin selling flowers at the traffic light?
All around are her brethren, the offsprings of the street,
Nudging and prodding, urging her to talk.
But she refuses to budge, perched down, gazing listlessly,
Until they disperse, and it’s daybreak, on the clock.
I’m groggy from last night, I crib all morning,
Of big cities and their crammed humble abodes.
And those like mine right at the crossroads,
Where sounds of traffic and vendors noisily flowed.
On my tardy morning walk, I spot her,
I know her from the dishevelled hair and tattered dress.
Stretched out on the cold cobblestone footpath,
She’s way too young, nine or ten, I guess.
Her pale lips look parched, I buy her a cup of tea,
She gawkily sits up, her face writhing in agony.
What was the ruckus at night, I gently query,
Her eyes well up, but she wipes the tears, her face stony.
“I sold a bouquet at the red-light last evening,
A burly man grabbed my hand when he paid.
I struggled to break the grip, he pulled me into his car,
I called out for help, but none came to my aid.”
“It was dark and dingy in the hell he took me,
They were more, their hands rough, their breath on my face.
The pain was awful, they touched, they mocked,
And flung me back here, oh I feel so disgraced.”
I’ll inform the police, let’s take you to a Doctor, I plead
But she waves me away, too scared of being harmed again.
Walking towards her indifferent herd on her wobbly feet,
She lifts the flowers to sell, off to earn her bread, hiding the pain.
An orphan child is violated, and the world doesn’t know, or care.
A rape every minute, many unheard, many untold,
How long can we bear?
(This poem was chosen as one of the Finalists for BTB Rhythmic Affair S4)
