Poverty in disguise

Have you seen a tramp on the street?
A man who struggles in the heat?
Unable to make two ends meet,
A man who has nothing left to eat?

Homeless fellow, for food he strives,
Yes, this is poverty in disguise.

Have you seen a child living in the slum?
Wondered at the reason he is so glum?
Poor child, is he really dumb,
Or just forced to keep mum?

The inexplicable part of his young life!
Yes, this is poverty in disguise.

Have you been witness to a girl being sold?
'You shall forever be happy,' she is told.
A crook marries her for pleasure and for gold!
And her life rots, just as history foretold!
With trust in false promises, she approaches her demise,
Yes, even this is poverty in disguise.

Sunlight abounds the land every new day,
Shimmers on the rivers from Kutch to Bengal's bay!
Though, sometimes I wonder if it's apt to say,
That the 'cradle of civilization' is still safe to stay!

The rich, void of character, are poor in their own right!
Yes my friends, even this is poverty in disguise!