Am I Your Pet? Poem by sehdev sharma

You brought me with money,
or I was gifted to you by someone?
Whether my eyes were open,
or these were still closed?
Knowingly or unknowingly,
I became your pet.

You play with me, touch me,
care for me, and feed me too.
I am not less than a family member,
for you,
Since dawn.
Your kids,
love me, beat me,
pull my lovely tail,
or hang a chain around my neck,
move out with me.

At about 10 pm,
I see you enjoying supper,
talking to your kids and family,
or watching daily soaps.

You feed me,
the leftover food,
in my dusty bowl,
I just eat silently.

At 11 pm,
you don't look at me,
just close your main door,
leaving me on the porch,
alone and scary,
in the company of snakes and insects.

I am addicted to you,
I cannot live with your company,
I cry I bark, I become sad,
but you seldom listen all these,
you seldom understand my emotions.

I wait and wait,
I keep my hopes alive that,
you will open the door,
keep me inside too,
where I can sleep like your kids.
But, that day had never come,
and will never come too.

Just tell me,
Am I really your pet?
or unpaid security guard,
or a worthless toy?

SEHDEV SHARMA
28/07/2021