THE DISTANCE

Illustration by Sharanya Bhadekar: https://www.instagram.com/sharanyabhadekar/

Innocent eyes viewing the world,

Unruly hair, unwashed skirt

As I roam the streets of gold,

Where they see shine, beauty, and wealth

I see stains of dirt.

I see a neat border,

That separates us from our kind

I say “Are we not humans?”

They don’t see us shine.

They enjoy all kinds of privileges,

Amma says “they’re the fortunate ones”

What makes them so?

Who knows.

I see a divide

Creating the distance

A distance that can’t be reduced

As a clap requires two hands

With my head in amma’s lap

I say “Amma when will we be privileged?”

Amma with a tear rolling down her wrinkled face

Whispers to me,

“When we cover The Distance.”