Book seller

by Sneha Subramanian Kanta
(Mumbai)

From the shackles of humanity
in the lane of the unfamiliar
he treads
carrying a tattered bag
selling books
meant for children a little smaller
than his age
he has the alphabet book, vegetable and fruits book,
animals and transportation books
among recipe books and small sized magazines for women
a stack of books he places on the
train berth
fall; while he is busy selling the others
with his quick but thin hands
I pick the books and place them back
where they were kept
the women in my compartment
wearily look on
and give me a quick glance
meanwhile; I just smile
at the little boy
holding the burden of educating
others
carrying books
atleast one of which he deserves.