Street Child

Precious little you,
your trusting little heart,
you who walk up to me
merely for the price of a smile,
Street child ..
Hungry, starved, parched, famished,
your bare little feet cracking at the heels,
your tiny hands
stretched out in asking,
your petite little body
diseased, suffering ..
yet hopeful of kindness
and consideration
My grown up heart
cold, distrusting ..
conveniently posturing
behind rolled up windows,
latched doors ..
Your tiny shoulders
courageously carrying the burden
of your limitless being ..
In a world of unequal hope ..
unkind shudders,
contemptuous looks
and distant indifference ..
turning your warm little heart
into the cold stone
that our own hearts are ..
turning you into who we are,
one shudder a day!