Aparna Mirajkar - One buck

The signal turns red,
My car halts screeching.
My eyes focused on the lamp red,
Unaware of his gaze, hopeful but leaching.

I hear a knock on the window,
And see that pale expecting look.
A tanned hungry kid of 6,
Begging for a buck.

I dig in my pocket,
And joy replaces hope in his eyes.
I find a coin and stretch to give it,
And at that time the red signal dies.

Hurriedly I shift the gear,
The rushing traffic I join,
Speeding I forget that
I am still holding the coin.

With guilt I look behind
To trace the begging child
His teary hopeful eyes
Searching a generous soul, in the traffic wild.

Aparna Mirajkar

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