here, a fool's refrain is sung
watching flies hovering over the litter;
the kachhravaali sifting her hands
through the garbage, searches mercilessly
for re-cyclable wastes.
her hardwork finally pays off
as she lifts a dented can of cola in triumph
shoving it deeply among its empirical brethren
inside her large sack
tied with a flimsy string across her stooped back.
pigs frolick in the dirt grunting their happiness.
some are black, some white and speckled,
their wet noses feeling the dirt through the refuse
for a fermented treat.
these are their gorging grounds
unfailingly coming here every afternoon
when the sun is its highest in the sky,
they ridicule its scorching presence.
rotting vegetables and the stench
of curdled foods affects them not
as they munch on with carefree abandon,
whiskers shivering with excitement.
the arrival of the garbage truck
sends this vapid ecosystem into a flurry
oinking their resentment
they hurriedly shuffle away to safety.
the kachhravaali has already made herself scarce
today, she'll get only half her daily wages for her unfinished business.
and as the harried truck leaves,
it leaves behind a dump,
wiped clean off its previous unhygienic memories;
to wait for another day, another evening
when yet again it shall be restored
to its tarnished glory, teeming with life whose
questionable past does not matter here.
Author notes
the circle of life/ waste away
I'm not sure of which title to use, suggestions are extremely welcome!
"kachhravaali" - Loosely translated as 'garbage woman'
A contest entry
- Take a Title and Transform It! by xxRainbowDawnxx.
600 points, ended December 17, 2008, 22 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - PREWRITE MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Kathraina.
650 points, ended August 15, 456 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
How was this?
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Good job with this write!
Fantastic imagery and flow throughout this piece.
Bravo
♥Kate -
Wow!
More than worthy of that HM.
What imagery you present. I could see & smell this! Where did you ever get that word for 'garbage woman'? I feel like I just watched a documentary. This was so visual. Great content, word choice & flow. You are an amazing writer. Bravo! -
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Thank you! You made my day too!
'kachravaali' is a Hindi slang word for 'ragpickers'. It sounded more apt for the setting I had in mind while writing this! 
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I like this. It's different, the title has been taken and been changed to make it more unique and personal.
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I love your writing, with all my heart. you have the amazing ability to project your reader into your poem as if they are actually standing there, and this tale you weave is sad...yet its part of the circle of life. An astounding scribble axis.
much love and serenity, Ocean.
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Thanks....I'll be off now! Books calling!
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