Rejected

Half ripe, hued green, tempting

with a youthful  tinge on their cheeks

the beautiful guavas were on display

in a basket placed in front, for sale

40 rupees a kilogram was an attractive price

for people  with money in their purse

and they were selling like hot cakes!

Just beside the legs of the fruit seller

There was a plastic bag full of guavas?

‘Why are keeping them aside?’ asked I

They’re rejected, so kept underneath!

I inspected the guavas turning them about

Some of them had injury marks

Some had lost a wee piece somewhere

In the bump and bang of the transport

Some were just ripe and yellow

Otherwise, they were good for customers

Like me, who live without luxuries of life

That can only be bought with a fat purse!

And they were not less nourishing

Not less tasty or not less satisfying!

Rejected fruit and wasted food

They can fill many empty stomachs

Rejected blankets can embrace with warmth

The shivering humans in winter

Rejected dresses can cover many naked

Rejected hearts, rejected minds and hands

 can quench the thirst of thousands

Like little rivers unnoticed by high dam builders

For producing electricity and canals

In God’s creation, nothing is waste

Nothing is rejected by Him

Except sin, lies, dishonesty and pride

Everything is good, beautiful and perfect!

Xavier Bage

Thurs, 02 March, 2017