a slaves predicament

sitting alone near the window

wanting to be like a bird free

wanting desperately to fly

but realizing the reality

seeing the chains in the hands and afoot

like the bird whose

wings have been cut off in cruelty

how happy is the man

who has got his own free will

as they say

until you starve you don't know the worth of a stomach filled

but still I own a human life

even if i'm treated like an animal

I can think and act as I think

imagine the plight of a real animal

life is measured in deeds and not in years they say,

woe begone be he

whose chest is too large for his heart

and may god bless

who has a chest be too small for his heart

Manas Godbole