View from the Ground
Frank Joussen
your names I could never remember
your faces I’ll never forget
when you laughed with us
and danced in the dirt
- small street children of Madras
you smiled up at our white faces
and said they were lovely indeed
we didn’t know what to say
or what we’d really come for
- two little idols gone astray
Nicole said you’d be a school teacher
with kids quite exactly your age
maybe you thought she’d be back
but still you wouldn’t let go
- when we finally gave you the sack
down and out we’re back at the hostel
starting on a diet
due to India’s heat
- while you’re leaving your books in the schoolyard
to take once again to the street.