MY BIRTHDAY WASN'T THE SAME LAST YEAR

My birthday wasn't the same last year

The pandemic was on and everyone lived in fear

It was a cold December evening

I was sitting inside my house regretting

Because I wasn't celebrating

I stamped my feet and went outside in the balcony

I saw a little girl on the other side of the road

Shivering and her eyes red in agony

She looked at me with her red eyes

I immediately understood it was not the agony

But the redness was because of the cold winds that flies

That moment of eye contact shook me to the core

My life was not the same the way it was few minutes before

My heart wondered that if she ever celebrated her birthday?

I bet it was a dream for her

Left abandoned in streets 

does anyone wanted her anyway?

All these thoughts surrounded me

And I thought how privileged I was

Was I ever grateful or just been arrogant

because I had it all

I asked my mother about the old clothes of mine

She said why do you need them 

You sit on the dining table and enjoy your time

Chat with your friends as they're waiting over call

Not listening to her I insisted that I need the clothes that were small

They were small for me but would protect that girl from the cold

I wrapped them all in one big fold

I carried the fold downstairs and then crossed the road

She was still there sitting under the advertisement hoard

I gave the clothes to her she smiled

That smile was precious indeed

It made my day and I realized it takes a little effort for good deeds.

I made a promise to myself that I will be grateful 

Always try to be considerate and helpful

The clothes we discard 

The food that we waste

They're so precious for someone I realized that day.

The pandemic has taught us a lot of things

And its still there because it has to teach more

And we should all pledge that by next winters 

No one's feet because of the winter are left sore.