Where have they gone?
Daya Nikahetiya.

Dozens of children were filing to one long queue
Surrounded by millions of flies…flying over, covering them
Fighting each other to land on their open wounds,
bothering those children by piping into their large eye-balls
But they didn't get annoyed… just waited patiently and calmly.
Until they get their chance to collect their monthly bowl of rations.

While waiting for their turn some started to sing their song
"We are singing our song…we feel so lonely …"
They were singing it softly and slowly ….as a lullaby.
Many of them didn't even reach their teenage time,
but lost their childhood…forgot their rainbow dreams!
Had to replace their parents…occupy their place in the queue
And forced to take over their duties…play the adult's roll!

They are in the daring sun, facing the wind and sand
Marching towards the food deport, filled with foreign donations,
but why are here only children ….where are the adults?
"Where have all the parents gone?" one of the visitors asked.
Moment of silence….then some one broke the stillness,
"No more alive…many were dead and gone…leaving us alone"

It was a documentary…which appeared on television.
That scenery touches any one's heart ….makes all thoughtful and sad
raises doubt about the faith and fairness the …meaning of this life?
There is no reason to be ashamed… a reason to hide,
thousands of innocents have to suffer in vain, as of this disease
It's all about AIDS….the most ruthless enemy for decades
which has become a pandemic….in this part of Third World?

One of the girls carrying a baby boy…jumped out of the queue,
to join the visitors, who were walking towards her house
Her mother was sitting near her father… by side on his deathbed…
Nursing him…wiping his face with a wet cloth, giving him comfort.
He tried to smile and welcome the visitors…but it didn't work!
his lips were so dried and stiffened….couldn't open to respond!

Though he is responsible for the cause, she never blamed him,
Neither hates nor thinks of any thing different against him
but forgave him, even knowing she got this illness though him
Devoted her life to take care, to keep him happy and hopeful
This is similar to a tragedy drama written on… pure-love?

The girl broke the silence, broke into tears…loudly cried
Cursing the deadly disease…she told them their story in few lines.
Her dad brought this deadly virus home…..and shared it with all
Mom was infected while she was pregnant…become permanently ill
As a result her only brother was born HIV positive.
She wiped her tears, smiled painfully and continued,
I'm the only in my family ….HIV negative!

No one uttered any thing …they only listened
every where…they heard the same sad story
the setting sun ….is getting red and indigo colour,
little by little moving down…and disappearing
some of the kids were still hanging around
some were in a far corner… singing their song.
To an unattended ordinance….in a sad melody
"We are singing our song….we feel so lonely…
Where have they gone …leaving us alone?"