Sonnet: The Poor

Behold the poor who live in drudgery!
Ill-clad, unsheltered, bonded slaves of rich;
Ill-paid all life, they end in misery!
They wear a smile despite ‘misfortune’s itch’.

Uncared, they live in slums to serve their ‘lords’!
It rains just cats and dogs for them all life;
There’s no silver-lining in their clouds;
They eke their livelihood in utter strife!

The wind is fierce and blows without a lull;
Their naked bodies work in scorching sun!
Their tired frames can’t rest even if ill;
In many ways exploited, life goes on;

And some are tortured by their masters mad;
But heaven waits to make their hearts quite glad!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-7-2006