On my way to office
One wintry day
In the early hours of morning
The streets wear a deserted look
I sight a rickshaw puller, or two
Out on the road
In search of the elusive passenger
On my way to office
On a summer day
In the early hours of morning
Having suffered a bout of load-shedding
And non-functioning inverter the previous night
I sight
A lady sleeping with her son
Beside her blissfully
Outside her slum dwelling
Out in the open
Beside her small ironing unit
Mercury rising
For a handful
Dangling from high rises
To add gloss to the swanky buildings
Bereft of necessary precautions beneath
A fall would ensure instant death
Fixing knotty connections on electrical poles
Where thousands of volts surge through the lines
A mistake can end life and ruin family
Uncomplainingly
Facing an unjust system
Exuding optimism in a scenario of doom
Fighting the odds
Bravely of everyday need
Unsung heroes in life
They keep the nation
Running and working.
