by Vyomi Malik
(New Delhi, India)
An impish grin
Sparkling eyes
Out of place
With her
Matted brown hair
And tattered clothes
Her bare feet dance
Without a care
For scorching heat
As she dashes
From car to car
Selling flowers
A knock here
Some pleading there
Ever hopeful
Of making a sale
"Madam key liye le lo"
She sweetly sings
Some shoo her away
Others simply ignore
Looking the other way
Yet she smiles
Hoping for better luck
As the lights change
She approaches me
But I'm lost deep in thought
Wondering
What dreams hide behind
Those tiny almond eyes
And if they will ever be fulfilled...