Paradise Lost

She was born in the verdure of her home
Midst the tall trees and the running cascades
Longed for by her parents, attended by the midwives
She came crying, dignified in her arrival

Her nurture was rich, her mother's milk for growth
Darling of her parents, joy of all around
She grew up in the richness of nature
Among the birds & beasts who became her kin

She was a delight to all, got time and attention from all around
She knew nature, she knew colours, knew the language of all
Epitome of creation, admidst all creation
She grew up, in her garden of Eden

Came then the snake one day in a Pajero
With glittering gold on his hands, his neck, his teeth
He smiled, or did he? But she heard him talking
To her parents, about giving away this land.

The snake wanted to develop this land
Cutting trees, clearing the land, building a factory
Develop by destroying, she couldn't comprehend
Building something, when everything seems perfect

The snake promised the apple, work for her parents
Showed paper he said had value
Work and money, did they need it?
The child wondered, while the elders got sold

They gave the snake their land
Instead they got some toddy, lots of it
Then started work, which took her parents away
She lost their time, their nurture, their care

The factory came up, but gone were the trees
Gone were the birds and animals, her friends
Then one day snake told the elders they are too old
Get out of the land or else they will be mowed

On she went on that long journey
The journey with her parents, her elders, her tribe
The journey to the bustle of the city
To live on the road, and then in the dirty slums

From the luscious nature one day to the slum
Her life was smeared with dirt
No money, no food, she ran between cars at the lights
Begging for money, just to be shoved away

Her childhood lost, her nurture destroyed
She became now a street child
No hope for the future, no one who cares
None really tries to understand

No litigations to help, no court-stays in favour of her
No arguments, her tribal home had to be given up
For development of others, all others but her and her tribe
She lies crucified, so we may live