Leper Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

More than an orphan, as abandoned by his family,
Lower than a beggar, as unwanted at anybody’s doorstep,
Poorer than a pauper, as estranged by the society,
Weaker than a handicap, as found repelling the donors,
And lowlier than the once untouchable, as his presence irritaing,
Lives a leper, beaten with the devastating malady.
Coupled with old age, who else can be that much pitiable?
11.01.2001, Pmdi