The Lone Broom Poem by Padmanabhan Ananth

Long bamboo stick joined the broom
One of coconut mid-ribs dried brown
Held tightly by him, the park sweeper
He'd been at it ever since a toddler

Rhythmic like a composer moving baton
Swish and swish again he went ever on
Fallen leaves, dry twigs, dirt or fine sand
All so obedient to the touch of his hand

One seldom noticed even his presence
At the square where all in town was welcome
But what at all about his absence?
Sure, when piles of garbage raised alarm!

One day a little girl, standing just to his hip
Asked of him: 'Hey, doesn't it fatigue you
Doing this very chore each and every day? '
Replied he: 'If dirt were to stop gathering today
My stove unfortunately wouldn't light up! '

Continued he in a calm sobering voice:
'Little missy, like this broom is your happiness
Use it well to sweep away sorrows, worries
That may fly to settle in your mind space.'