Blind — Abnish Singh Chauhan

The walls stay stained
with a number of posters,
whispering ads to his ears
as he walks through the lane.

The posters
glorifying their claims
stir his desires,
but his empty purse
holds him back.

What he earns
goes as it comes,
arranging dal-bhat1
to calm his hunger’s pain,
or sometimes on medicine,
to mend his weary bones.

The ever-rising
price of onion
often makes his eyes
flow with tears.

Do the ads
use black magic,
remaining blind
to what one truly needs?

***



Footnote:
1. Dal-bhat: A dish of lentil soup and steamed rice.