I AM A RAG-PICKER : RHYME 73

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I can see, smell and feel

And I can hear.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I do cry, sing and laugh 

And I have anger.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I'm a human, like you,

Though you abhor.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I do live on your wastes,

But I don't abhor.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I've grown in garbage dumps,

In sling of my mother. 

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm with my nasty brethren,

In this putrid squalor. 

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

Like hens, crows, vultures,

I'm a scavenger. 

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

Source of my life and growth 

In this daily litter.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I've got to work through rags

To quench my hunger.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

A victim of dumping yards

As well as a victor. 

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I'll one day die like you

And every other.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I know I will decay and die

In the filthy dire.

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I know I'll die with the Curse

And my dishonor. 

I'm a rag-picker,

I'm a rag-picker;

I wish I'm not recycled again

As a rag-picker!!

- N P SAMAL