Away From

I come across to what I hate seeing so much

Disgusts me to remember that I thought I wasn’t enough

I think that I need more and more, plenty

But they don’t have much other than others company

Walked outside to the city, new country, poverty

For the first Time my eyes could see openly with

I fear that I’ve lived my life like the Buddha’s early years

Away from deprivation

Away from hardship

Away from the unfortunate

Away from poverty

Giving one a drop of water or a tiny cracker wouldn’t be obliging

Considering the number of them barely surviving

I hope that one day I can give all of the economy an equal chance of success

And maybe get away from seeing this horrible mess.

Rashmika Manu is a 9th grader attending high school this year. She enjoys writing poems, playing volleyball and traveling. She visits India often and has a desire to help the poor and needy when she grows up.