Bless Them With The Sun Poem by DEEPAK KUMAR PATTANAYAK

Overcast was the sky;
Clouds here and there
The moon looking shy
And I was a lone traveller
Upon the lonely path
So calm, so quiet it felt
Not a soul was in sight
And I had to walk a bit
To board a train that night
It was winter
Late night of December
Chilled was weather
Accompanied with wind
Cold and bitter
Only missing was
A snowflake in the air
And I was getting scared
By my shadow a little bit
At the sudden gleam of light
Of moon coming through clouds
Now scattered and split
And I could see the sky
So heavenly and comely
Full of flowers, fair and plenary
Pensive I was cruising along
The path, enjoying the scenery
When suddenly I spotted
Down the path along the station
Souls of human and non-human
Sharing beneath the dark sky
The common bed, coarse and earthen
And not a blanket to cover on
Hands and legs of men on dogs
And dogs’ on men cold to beat down
A poignant scene not to be forgotten
Homeless and distressed souls
Destitute of food and shelter
Braving the chilled and cruel winter
In the open largest bed ever
And I, bewildered, stand
Praying God that at day break
Bless them with the Sun
Fill them with the sunshine
And food and shelter not to be forgotten…………