To Cry or To Smile?

By Sadhana S

I felt confined,
So I went on a walk to clear my mind,
I looked at the clouds above,
And wished I was as free as the flying dove.
I looked around and saw a kid smiling at his candy,
And wished if I could have such a simple operandi.
I sighed as I sat down on a bench,
And it felt as if my thirst for a peaceful life had become impossible to quench.
I groaned and closed my eyes,
My mind flooding with all the whys.
And when I opened my eyes and looked above,
There was no alive and happy flying dove,
For it had become the victim to a hunter’s gun,
I guess it could have only so much fun.
I shook my head and tried to take my mind off the sorrow,
So I looked at where I saw the little boy stood and noticed that his eyes were hollow.
Apparently he had to give his candy up for his little brother,
His own happiness and smiles given up for another,
Now his little brother's eyes are filled with contentment,
While his own are filled with resentment.
I look at the hunter whose family is thankful for the bounty they’ll receive ,
I guess he proved to them that he could achieve.
I stand up and resume my walk back home,
Knowing I can’t just roam.
But I understood something,
That is sometimes you give up something of yours for another.
your peace and happiness for another’s,
Like how the little boy gave his for his brother,
And the dove gave its for the hunter,
Ain’t it a selfish world?