A Torn Tapestry – by Maitri Variya

In the shadows, where silence combines,

A story of strife in which hardship defines.
Through urban houses and rural lanes.
Poverty's grasp still horridly remains.

Threadbare garments, worn-in shoes,

Hope flickers, and its flame often diffuses
A melody of hunger, aching and unclean.
Dream whispers vanished, unseen.

In forgotten corners where aspirations fade,

A realm obscured, hearts remain laid.
Families clutch at delicate dreams.
In the maze of want, shadows are seen Stomachs echo emptiness;
eyes hollow and wide.

Beneath the pain poverty lies.

The daily ballet of survival,
A chance to hope for revival,
During the struggle, stories quietly unfold.

Untold fortitude, steadfast and hearts bold.

Together, let us build bridges with grace.
To those who are vulnerable let us embrace,
In the tapestry of humanity's shared narrative,
May compassion weave threads into a radiant alternative.

EXPLANATION: The purpose of the poem was to provoke thought and empathy for the
plight of the impoverished. It used language and metaphor to paint a picture of the complex
aspects of poverty, from hopelessness to despair. The poem sought to inspire empathy and
emphasize resilience in the face of hardship.