The Child Labourer ... [A voice of a child labourer]
by Udara Soysa
Neither know where I am going.
One day at a time I take- and earn anything I can make,
Together to keep my body and soul
I wake up with the rooster's clarion call,
And travail the day long through,
Toil at any odd job I am tasked to do,
And a 'living' to see the day go through
Some days are good -some days are bad,
I've learnt to ride-life's ups & downs,
Facing the both with equal calm,
And walk with my head held high.
The man with a wound only knows the pain,
There is none who 'could' or 'would',
Do much to ease the pain and suffer,
Alone I have to grin and bear.
Shelter from the wind and rain,
Enough food and drink to sate hunger and thirst,
This is all I need to keep me going,
Through life's unending sorrows and pain.
by Udara Soysa
Royal College
Sri Lanka