Making a Difference

 

Open my eyes I do every morning,

As I see the first rays of sunlight,

As I hear the first choir of birds singing,

And as I feel the first prayers offered to the ‘Creator’.

To the inevitable truth I then surrender,

That a new day has arrived!

A new day, a new beginning for many;

A new adventure in schools for children like me;

A new opportunity for them to learn and discover;

A whole new world for them to explore and share;

… Where strangers become friends.

… Where exists not amongst them much difference.

Truly a new day, a new beginning for many,

…But alas! It is not so for me!

Hesitantly, pull myself I do to the floor;

And get ready to walk through the door. 

Beyond that door, a tiring journey awaits me…

A journey striking me with the harshness of reality. 

A reality where hell starts from my family,

With a delusional father and an ailing mother beside me. 

A reality where though someone I do have, to call my own;

Travel through it I have to all alone.

A reality where I go not to school but have to earn my right to eat,

For which in exchange pay I do with my blood and sweat.

A reality where I have to walk on fire,

To earn my right to stay alive!

Throw up my hands I do in anger,

And ask the almighty power, who created me,

“How much more of this should I endure?”

“Why are you doing this to me?”

But through dark clouds, a silver lining I could see,

When I found other lonely souls like me. 

Realize I did that alone each of us are like drops of water. 

But a massive ocean we are, when we get together. 

Realize I did that alone I am not anymore;

That find I did a family, who will be with me forever. 

Emboldened now I was,

As find I did a new ray of hope, a new horizon.

So claim with pride I do the world I do to everyone,

I am going to and I will make a difference!

****

YASIR SULAIMAN