At the crack of dawn
Ram awoke with usual prayer
“Oh lord lead me towards the light”
Mountain of chores awaited him

His young hands lost its softness
Sweeping corridors huge
Mopping long stretches was his routine
Income hardly he gained in return

His feet bore cracks deeper
Than that on parched land,
Washing heaps of clothes and vessels
Illness none bothered his mind

His stomach growled in hunger
The meager food hardly sufficed him
Innocence on his face had ebbed
Only stains of frustration remained

His eyes spoke volumes of myriad pain
Yet they carried dreams and desires
At times it turned red in anger
At times it would droop in failure

He had ambitions many to fulfill
He hoped for better tomorrow
His eyes depicted struggle for progress
And prayed for courage to fight