Rag pickers

He and sister lived on a ledge

under the culvert

His hair all matted

face a mask of grime

His sister had large eyes

a demure of nonchalance

Two big sacs were the only possession

a couple of dogs kept them company

Before daybreak they walked to the bin

their favorite one near the hotel

Here they scourged

for breakfast lunch and dinner

Rotten tomatoes

and leftovers of the night after the rats feast

They swallow what they can

they fill the bags plastic bags and bottles

A large swanky sedan

breaks near the bin

Passenger seat glass goes down

a bejeweled manicured hand flicks a plastic bag

The boy’s hand shoots out catches the bag

a catch as good as any great slip catch

He opens the bag with fervor was a white spongy thing

 gives it a little squeeze hand slimy and red

 wipes his hand on his shirt front

Bewilderment writ large on his face for a fleeting second

 tosses the thing off moves off to the next bin sister in tow

Two years latter

The girl lay dead in the culvert

defiled and killed

Near her body was a middle-aged man

half dead battered black and blue

The young boy was never seen again…..

K.V.Radhakrishnan