Simple Verse.No.13. 'Oh! You Are Rich! ' Poem by Valsa George
Simple Verse.No.13. 'Oh! You Are Rich! '
While it was raining heavily outside,
Two children in shabby, tattered dress
Stormed into our glass roofed patio
And at the door, for mercy did pause
They said they were out to buy empty cans
To make a living and support their family
The only work they could do at their age
And it was not their intent to dilly dally
I was in no mood to entertain them
As my hands with pending works were tight
A week's laundry and some shopping to do
But was rather indisposed to send them outright
As I looked onto their starved faces
I felt a hard tug deep from within
After a moment's thought, when I invited them in
In innocent mirth, their eyes did spin
For them as I brewed two cups of coffee
And gave some homemade snacks to munch
Their little faces bloomed in joy
As if savouring a favourite fruit punch.
All the while their curious eyes went
Flashing from nook to nook and every corner
On my well stacked shelves of china pottery
And the costly gadgets and the gas burner
When they were about to leave
They simply said- "Oh! You are rich! "
Of course a new revelation, it was to me
Something I had never thought over much
Yes, with a roof overhead
With enough means to feed my kids
And with a steady income every month
How rich I am compared to those hapless lads
Now, though many years have slipped by
I reiterate to myself what those children said
‘Oh! You are rich' lest I shall ever forget again,
How rich I am and this thought keeps me ahead!
Sometimes it happens so... From these 'lower' mortals moving in front of our own eyes we learn things. The living conditions in the largest democracy that boasts of 67-68 years of political freedom now are no better than those in Indonesia or Burma.Madam, your ability to recollect such an episode from your life of yester years is another aspect of the riches you surely possess - your mind`s glow of retaining that empathy immaculate. This poem reaffirms the fact that in the midst of lapses and nothingness of the sort worthy humans can find place for themselves while extending a helping hand to the hapless lot. Your riches of all kinds are paid tribute here. A great poem that demands a 10.
Poverty is a comparative, we are simultaneously poor and rich too. But richness of love is at all not comparative. A nice write.
really we have to look at low level..then only we will feel that our complaints are worthless..thoughtful write............
The true India in its shadow of poverty and hunger.... I really grateful for this contribution... ''many years have slipped by I reiterate to myself what those children said.......
Very true, very beautiful. When we ask someone what will make you happy and the answer will be if i had... if my children... if my family.... probably if we asked the same question to a hapless child the answer would most probably make you cry. That is exactly what this poem has taught us. We never seem to see what He has blessed us with; until He takes it from us. Probably the day we realize why we are blessed, then the question what will make you happy? ' surely the answer will be i'm happy! . With 3 meals a day, rags to wear, and a roof over their head, the 'lesser' are happy than we can ever imagine.
A great poem by any standards. Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) said in worldly affairs have a look at those who are worse than you and for the divine life to come look at those who are better than you.
How sad your words are. I was taken on a journey into your country and through your eyes I saw a glimpse of Indian society. Thank you.
Very Beautiful poem Valsa. Beautiful way you have portrayed the two small children and I could visualise it. It's nice of you to offer them coffee with snacks, how much delighted they may be when they had them and on leaving they said was very true..Oh! you are rich...Especially we have roof overhead and food to feed our children while many are living in extreme poverty...Yes, we should always look ourselves from lower level. We can understand them better. Valsa, I just loved reading it.
Very beautiful and inspiring poem, Valsa. Out of the mouths of babes, comes profound insight to guide us through life counting every blessing. You are so good of soul to never forget the words of these two little ones. It truly shows how kind and compassionate you have remained. Thank you, Valsa for this enriching poem. RoseAnn
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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12/5/2025 6:09:33 AM # 1.0.0
It is sad to realise that only when we come across poverty first-hand do we recognise how rich we are, or when we come across a very unhappy and troubled family we then realise how thankful we should be for our blessings! A moving and thought provoking write Valsa!