i cried every day

Sometimes a world weary sob

Sometimes a pillow soaking convulsion

I cried for the three legged dogs and the starving cows

That lined the roads

I cried for the goats that stood,

Tethered, through the freezing night

Only to be slaughtered, boiled

And skinned in the morning.

I cried for the beggars

With their leprosy-stump-limbs

I cried for the street children.

Siblings, huddled together

A pile of rags,

Big brown eyes, devouring

All the things they could not have.

And every teardrop fell

Like rain into a muddy puddle.

My useless grief

A self indulgent cloak

Drawn across my shame.