A poem on child labour by Harsh, in Different Truths. This socially responsive poem effectively displays sordid plight of a child working in the mines.  It represents the feelings and wishes of the child.

Papa roared in anger, “Grab your lunch and go straight to the mine.”
As I’m not the child who is born to shine.
Poor, underprivileged and downtrodden, that’s what we are.
Forced to labour in the coal mine so far.
When a kid plays with toys, I blacken my face with coal
Pulling carts to and from coal faces, my days roll
Someday, I operate the ventilation doors
Other days, I lead the horses pulling carts to main roads.
Though my heart fears every day while at work,
What if I get my hands hurt due to cart’s heavy jerk?
What if I get my legs crushed under the falling roof?
Yet I have to labour for bread and soup.
My soul was shaken when I heard of my friend, Kalu’s death;
Swallowed Arsenic, he took his last breath
One another accident engulfed one more child
I hardly remember when the last time he’d smiled.
Education is meant for children of wealthy families
And not for us, filthy, impoverished and inferior beings
Schools, playgrounds, books and copies I always only dreamt
I can’t quit the job as for working in a mine, I’m doomed.
I wish I were a king of this country,
I would have given a happy life to kids all and sundry
No child would be compelled to work in mines
And every child would be enjoying the sunshine.

Picture design Anumita Roy

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Harsh Vardhan 'Samrat'

Harsh Vardhan ‘Samrat’ is a young poet from central India. Though he is just 18 years old, he penned more than 100 poems in English and Hindi, some of which are published in local newspapers and magazines. His first book ‘Humming Heart and Other Poems: An Anthology,’ will be launched in August 2017. He is currently pursuing BE from a reputed Institute of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and also working on a robotics project.

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