Child Labour Poem by Shahzia Batool

Child Labour

Rating: 4.1


Just hard life
bitter strife
Selling balloons
not playing with them
driving carts
of ice-cream sticks
not tasting them
wiping the screens
breaking the stones
picking the cocoa beans
not eating the chocolates
facing snubs
and harsh looks
no pen to write
no bags, no books
dreamy eyes
vacant stares
wishful thoughts
feet bare
I hear Blake
speaking pity
from heart's core
just take care
lest you should drive
an angel from your door!

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
Inspiration:
- - - - - -
The poem is a sequel to the poem of the same title composed by Jayachandran Chakrapany!

Reference to Blake connects us to the last line of his poem HOLY THURSDAY 1! ! !
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Heather Wilkins 03 July 2013

Our children should be in school learning instead of working Child labor should not exist. excellent Shahzia

4 5 Reply
Shihabudheen K J 04 July 2013

child labour is one of the hardest reality that is still practised all over the world....this poem seems like an eye opener that atleast one of us can save a child doing labour and bring him into horizons of knowledge, games, care and all..regards shahzia

6 3 Reply
Valsa George 04 July 2013

It is unfortunate that at a tender age, children are forced to become bread winners of the family! It is even shattering to see children slogging like slaves and being mercilessly treated by their heartless employers! What they get may be just a square meal....! ! Reacting to such crippling practices should be the self undertaken task of a civilized society! Good job Shahzia!

5 1 Reply
Tirupathi Chandrupatla 04 July 2013

What great wasted talent. Nice attempt to bring a change. Thank you.

3 2 Reply

Respond against the social evils is the duty of a writer.But alas most of them only see dreams and imaginations.How to change this world, that may be the motto, at least with some of their writings.Congrats Shahai, this poem carries a good message against child labor.jk

1 2 Reply
Passionate Reader 05 July 2013

Child is the father of man, the famous line by William Wordsworth. This line is highly symbolic. Every child has the right to enjoy his childhood but some children are forcefully put to work. This is a remarkable poem with a strong loud message. So inspirational! ! ! Thanx for sharing! ! !

2 1 Reply
Lasoaphia Quxazs 05 July 2013

I know this feeling, but when I was hungry and there was no bread I never had feeling to have some, because nobody had in my neighborhood. And now I do not wish anything what other people have, but God gave me everything what I need now, why I am grateful every second.

3 1 Reply
David Wood 05 July 2013

A wonderful poem Shahzia, we never know who we meet, they could be angels.

2 1 Reply
Chetna Sharma 04 July 2013

Wonderful Shazia. Such themes not every poet would like to explore, keep it up!

4 1 Reply
Ramesh Rai 04 July 2013

a burning problem of this civilised era. if we see 100 yrs back we dont find so much.grt write. my poem Hotel boy concern with the same topic. thnx for sharing

2 1 Reply
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