A Quintessential Girl

She sat under the shade Of an old giant banyan tree Stood like a monk defying age Enthralled her like a sage Reminded her of voyage Of her thorny childhood days The chilled poverty chilled her The dimmed lantern helped her A kaput bicycle was in motion To purse her basic education Things have utterly changed The old kuchha houses renovated A model school established New roads, new houses constructed A dazzling model village created She has fulfilled her childhood dream Confronting all challenges and hurdles Swinging with the wings of poverty Going through the darkness of the tunnel Accomplished brightness as the kernel The old banyan tree cried in tears: I am boggled how these villagers Impulsively change their proclivity Just push their children to follow her Salute her, greet her, and love her Not to call her untouchable, but she is a saver A sublime soul, the spark of the village A quintessential girl, listen to her! Copyright@ Dillip K Swain