THE BABY DOLL

Yesterday

while taking an evening walk

down the pavement of the city

I happened to enter a

baby palace

for no apparent reason.

My glance ran about

the baby palace

filled with toys and dolls

and upon spotting a baby doll

with unbelievable eyes

my glance got fixed on

the bay doll of ineffable beauty

and felt ineffable joy

I made her my own.

She was like an angel

clad in shining white frocks with frills

and beckoning eyes

which conveyed a

mischievous smile.

Like a dad

taking care of his baby

I took extreme care of her

and upon reaching home

I placed her in a safe place

so as to enable me

to have an eye on her

every moment.

Her lively, lovely eyes

her beaming smiles

her white frocks with frills

all beyond words to express.

After a cat nap

upon looking at

her to my shock and embarrassment

I saw blood oozing out

of the corners of her eyes

I saw her breathing with

much difficulty

foam spilling out of

her mouth

I was at a loss about what to do.

Before collapsing

panting she told me in broken words -

‘I was a child of Syria

I was a child of caring and loving parents

I was a child with full of dreams of my future

and all that.

And now

I am here like this….’

She couldn’t say anymore…..