the tiny heart

Original name: the little hand

My papa sent me off to big town to
earn some money for my home
where my baby siblings and mom
were waiting helplessly for the alms
which I and my papa earn working
day and night, working like slaves,
round the clock without a break

I saw no love in my master’s eyes,
he only shouted and screamed
he only made me work more and more,
never letting me play or read as his own sons did
nor did he gave me candies or dresses
which he often brought for them
never did I felt their caring hands
on my burning forehead when I was sick in bed

my days started with the crow
and ended when the world slept
my food was their left over,
my clothing was their neglect
I grew up hating the world
because it scorned when I wept
then life changed, my toils brought my harvest.

one day I was sitting on my porch
when he came who once was my master
begging for a job or a handful of food
for his family which was starving now
he did not recognized me in riches,
but I did because he looked the same
I called my servant, asked him to feed him
and give some money for his family