Poor People Poems

I have the greatest respect for people who earn their bread everyday. I mean the people like street hawkers, fruit and vegetable sellers and street jugglers and madaris. They have no idea what the day has in store for them and whether they would earn sufficient to feed their loved …

In this age of computers games and electronics, where stands the old Khilone Wala who still makes toys of clay? Traditional arts appear to increasingly lose ground to modern technology. Here is the plea of such an old Khilone Wala who is struggling to survive in todays fast paced world …

In view of the recent crusade of Anna Hazare against corruption, this poem about the power of masses becomes a must-read. Dinkar Ji wrote this beautiful poem when India became a Republic on Jan 26, 1950. India’s population was 33 Crores that time. From now on, it would be the …

I feel amazed at the resilience of the common Indians. We see how they suffer calamities and then catch the straws of life and start all over again. Be it floods, draughts, earthquakes or terrorism, they are back on their feet in no time. One truly wonders where that internal …

Here is a poem that seems to come from times bygone. A village woman writing to her husband who lives in a city. I wonder if such letters are written anymore.  Quite a nostalgia! Rajiv Krishna Saxena परदेसी को पत्र   सोसती सर्व उपमा जोग बाबू रामदास को लिखा गनेस …

This famous poem by Narottam Das (AD 1550-1605) describes the story of Sudama who was a close friend of Lord Krishna. Sudama lived in poverty and his wife always prodded Sudama to visit Lord Krishna in Dwarka for some financial help. Sudama felt reluctant to ask money from a friend …

There is a huge migration of rural folks to cities. Search of jobs make people leave their homes and culture and face all kinds of ordeals in alien lands. In the process they themselves undergo irreversible changes and are lost to villages for ever. Here is a touching poem by …

A beggar is begging but the person he is begging from is himself in a bad shape. Here is nice poem by Kunwar Bechain. Honesty is a handicap for success in this day and age, is the subtle message. Rajiv Krishna Saxena करो हमको न शर्मिंदा करो हमको न शर्मिंदा …

After India attained independence in 1947, people had high hopes and looked forward to better their lives under the self-rule. These hopes were however shattered in coming decades and an all out frustration gripped the society. Dushyant Kumar died in 1975 (at a young age of 52). He sensed the …

Our farmers are deeply attached to soil. They follow the rustic tradition and perpetuate the ancient ways. They grow food for all and sustain the humanity. Here is a lovely satire by Bhawani Prasad Mishra Ji on the “civilized” city-dwellers who call these farmers uncivilized. Rajiv Krishna Saxena जाहिल मेरे …