There he was
Sitting outside the temple
With his dog
Looking at people passing by
Caught in the race of life
With not a moment to spare
He looked on and searched
For a face to gaze upon him
And eyes to smile
And lips to say a few kind words
But none he could find
In that mad rush
Who would dare to stop
And waste precious time
On him and his friend
Nor could he wait
For the pangs of hunger
Were fast approaching
Their jaws open wide
Now he looks
Not for kindness
But for pity
Stony faces to look away with unseeing eyes
Unfeeling hands
To throw a few coins his way
For hunger is a ruthless teacher
And teaches lessons
That one cannot forget
~Arathi Mohan
Kozhikode, India