'No'

‘No’

Each child is gifted with
a big bloated balloon.
Shop keeper greets all
with a ready-made smile.
A frown comes soon from
a beggar woman’s tongue.
Her son tugs at her sari,
stretches his index finger.
Receiving one rupee coin,
she begs again, ‘Give my
child a balloon, please’.
But the shopkeeper puts
a ‘No’ on her palms.
They leave that apparel
shop silently, dropping
‘No’ behind the crowd.
He doesn’t cry aloud,
scratching his head.
He saunters to the road,
hanging on her arm.
Sorrow never grows
in a barren mind.