The world of 2010

A lesson learnt

As the 2009 Sun was about to bid goodbye

It stopped and looked at me

There was a smile alright

But it lacked in warmth and real happiness.

I smiled back with joy

And looked deep into the setting Sun

Why was it devoid of zest

What was amiss that saddened the Sun?

I was glad to see the setting of the year

I had lived with happiness and joy

There was pleasure and felt no fear

But perhaps the Sun had seen what I had not

My World was small

But the Sun had seen the World

It saw the flying missiles and passing bullets

It saw the slow dying of those who starved

It heard the cries of the trodden and old

It saw the helplessness of the weak

It felt the fear of the hounded

It cried when children were orphaned

This it saw over and over again

It saw each in his own little world

Oblivious of the sorrows of the rest

It never slept, joy was lost, it only wept.

But a small smile adorns the setting Sun

It sends a message of hope

All is not lost, there is scope

The early morning rays beckon

Now I see what the Sun wanted to say

Indeed, we forgot the weak and hungry

We saw our own small world and lived

Like the Sun, we need to live for the World.

It is time we felt and lived

Not just for our own small circle

But for humanity, the entire world

Let’s keep pace with the 2010 Sun.

Syed Abdallah Rizvi

Dammam/2010