Beast of Burden
On my desiccated back
The loads
Of people-over the mountains
Over the hills
Through the valleys
For a living
I am not tired
I am not retired
I am not old
Age cannot bar me
How can it?
If load ensures
My kin’s daily meal
How can it?
If load ensures
My mere survival
How can it?
If load became
An inseparable part of my life
Remove it
And my breaths collapse
Remove it
And my bones crack
Remove it
And my blood drain
I am a Beast of Burden
For ages I am there
For ages I will be
I am a beast, not a human
I am not a beggar
I’ll never be.
© Tarun Mitra
This is my first posting for the month of June 2010 and one after a long long time. Indeed there was some slackness on my part but also it would be pertinent to mention that I was busy with my life. I was following only few blogs (apologies to others), but Delhi heat and power situation can be unforgiving.
The picture was taken by me on my trip to Mussoorie. It was taken on 11th June, 2010 and now it seems a long time ago.
