The dark side of light

Two kids peeked to the street

Each Diwali, every year

To see the fireworks dazzling

And all the rich kids laughing

They never got a chance

To buy or burst a cracker

But still both used to laugh

With each noise deafening

His name was Dayal

His little sister was Diya

They both saw Diwali

In the posh lane, nearby

Their house was in the slum

Where the mansions end

They were poor humans lived in huts

And for rich they were a bad omen

When Dayal was twelve and Diya, ten

A man came home to take them to work

Their mother sent them both in tears

As she had no way to feed her kids

Every evening they came home tired

With a dark body and a sad face

Gave the little pay they got

To their mother, sick and thin

Diwali was a curse for them

They worked so long and so hard

Making crackers is too different

Than buying them and bursting them

Eve of Diwali, they were called

The man paid them a little more

Then a packet full of crackers

To burst and celebrate Diwali

They reached home with sleepy eyes

Had their bath and had some food

The sound of crackers was too loud

But they didn’t go to see the fun

Dayal thought of his Diwali dreams

Of a new dress and a box of crackers

At least to hold a sparkler, thin

To laugh and play with her sister dear

Today he has his dream in hands

The box of crackers on Diwali eve

He thought of all his comrades young

Who made it all, through night and day

He slowly walked to the streets of joy

Found the kids well dressed and merry

To see the sparkling lights appearing

To hear the thundering rockets soaring

Dayal found a little lad sitting

Watching the fun while rich kids played

He clapped and laughed when a cracker bursts

He was too poor to buy a sparkler

He turned to see a box stretching

Towards him, he felt he’s dreaming

He ran home to show his sister

The treasure he got in a shining box

Dayal took his steps homeward

Lights and sounds meant nothing to him

When everyone enjoyed Diwali’s fun

He just wanted to sleep a while

Today as we crack fireworks plenty

Enjoy the sweets and wear new outfits

Who’ll think of the faded lives

Of little souls that brightened this Diwali!!