Wild Life

The sound I hear is pure agony – something I didn’t expect to hear in a stadium full of cheering fans. It emanated from the depth of a soul, and pierced my sympathetic ears. I start moving in the direction of the sound. Another set of sounds- muffled sobs greet me.

I see a girl in tatters, holding a frightened pup in arms, trying to protect him from the wild crowd. Killer instincts are at play, as the sports world demands. I see the emptiness of their eyes, and try to gauge what has happened.

Both have a right to live with dignity, which is being denied to them. The world cheers on … their favorite team is on the path to victory.

dignity attacked

a living being laments

brutal disrespect

compulsions of poverty

presuppose compromise

Haibun Monday