THE STREET SINGER
G. Somaseshu
Her song, an epic of life-long
Struggle to keep the threatening death
At bay: A deficient, yet surging breath
An effort to survive, to prolong...
No shame or shyness to conceal
The naked voice or body to reveal:
Music burst forth to beg for bread
A piercing voice without any dread-
No pause or break in her tone
No trace of deep suffering moan
She regaled people with ringing voice
Uncaring or rude mocking noise:
Unmindful of loud sneers and shouts
Her song poured forth in vibrant swing
Of raging rhythm flouting all doubts
To drag her life, she has to sing and sing
A ragged figure with brownish hair
Roughened by blows of fate unfair
With patched dress she flitted from door to door
Inhuman silence her voice tore,
Straining her nerves to utmost pitch
Squeezing the hearts-depraved and rich.