I was there alone,

In the darkest street,

Dressed all in rags,

No shoes on my feet.

I cried loud for help,

But nobody heard,

They just stared at me,

As though I was some creature weird.

I ran through the lanes,

As fast as I could,

"Will someone help me?" I asked,

I was sure someone would.

But my hope faded away,

With the last evening light,

Though I knew there was a horizon,

A day and a night.

I sat cold and hungry,

In the chilly dark night,

No one there beside me,

The thought gave me a fright.

I gasped out loudly,

For someone held me tight,

My mom stood there with my milk,

The birds were chirping — it was daylight.

Dear God, free me from the shackles of rebirth,

Oh Lord! help me create a paradise on earth.

Bless me my Lord, that I may do the best deed,

Make me worthy, so I may get some place in thy feet.

In the garden of my heart,

May the seeds of nobility I sow,

Let you be the only one,

In front of whom I bow.

Let the spring of thy love,

Wash away the dirt of my heart,

Give me a new hope, a new mission to start.

May I always follow,

the religion of humanity,

May the riches of love,

be the only amenity.

I have been ever a loser,

With will-power so weak,

The boon of salvation from you,

is what I seek.

Let your name be a breath of life for me,

I have chosen the path of truth,

Whatever my destiny may be.

Your treasure of gifts is very vast,

I have wandered for ages,

Give me place at last.

— Geetanjali Gandhi, Class XII,
MGM Public School, Jalandhar.