Hope

Two look between the same bars,

One sees mud, the other sees stars.

                                                    -Frederick Langbridge

I am struggling with an amateur-writer's block so decided to do a guest post today.

Back in 2000, some sixty-odd poems featured in a book published by a small time local publisher. These poems were written impromptu by children, aged six to sixteen, as a part of a Children's day programme. My sister, a Class IX student then, had to choose from the topics The Steps, A Bridge and The Sky. She chose The Steps. And what follows, is a chef-d'oeuvre by a 14-year old (Biased huh? Well, it's my baby sister I am talking about :) ).

INFIRM STEPS

Step by step the fawn moved forward,

It was an effort to stand, alright,

The doe urged it to step onward,

With shivering legs it stood upright.

It's innocent eyes looked upon the world,

The green meadows and the clear stream,

Across the brook, the bridge was curled,

It was as good as a dream.

It's steps were slow and trembling,

The fawn did need some persuasion,

It tried hard to support itself but kept falling,

But, in the end, it sure did reach it's destination.

Soon it's steps will be faster,

It shall learn to take care of itself,

To protect itself from the hunters,

And to be strong like the doe herself.

                                                                          -Nivedita Rao