Survival

A singer of repute, 

One of the shining  stars of the musical world

Left all baffled. 

It was a crowded, suffocating  concert that turned out to be the ladder to his doom.

Work and commitment  no doubt for him were worship.

Since he was paid for the performance,

Till last his sweet rendition was flowing  out to cheer the masses.

The masses which hadn't  even the slightest of idea that the constantly  flowing  sweat down their favorite  star's temples wasn't  natural.

The star that gestured towards the tough weather  condition wiping sweat beads was soon helped out but alas! It was too late,

Death guards were waiting  for him at the gates.

With constant headache and bone chilling throbbing in my head after two consecutive sleepless nights,

I concealed my plight from all until l found a few friends of mine with whom l can easily share my pain,

 l got geared up for my day's tasks.

One after the other there were  so many things to do which were piled up.

Trying hard to smile after a couple  of hours l realized that my blood pressure was may be shooting up and if l were not to  have a glass of elixir for life, a chill glass of water l may become in my acquaintance the next headline about being victim of suffocation  just for the sake of a glass of water.

Time was less since there was no break for another hour or so,

I rushed to the place that was one time for us full of resources. 

I searched around but the cherished water was no where around.

Since, last few weeks l had made  it a point

To carry a water bottle whenever l stepped   out of my heaven, my sweet home where l am the one and only queen.

I soon realized  my bottle was empty as its content was already shared with friends.

As it's  not gold that should be  hidden,

It's a blessing that must be shared with everyone  who is thirsty.

Exactly that's  what l every day did.

There was no time to rush to the water point 

Still l dared and grabbed  the mocking bottle  from its neck.

But, it jeered as refilling it was a cumbersome task.

Before me there was a long queue of our would be future generation, 

Waiting  for its turn to satiate its thirst. 

Time was running out l had to be back at my place,

With empty bottle dangling in my shivering hands,

I did what  was expected, 

Smiled at my best, looked as cheerful  as  l could.

At that point l sneaked a moment out and looked  towards the skies pondering why the Maker of the world didn't  choose  me to be a ship of the desert.

If l had been a camel l would have  easily survived,

But in this life it's not going to happen  may be till l become  the next headline. 

I wanted to scream,

I wanted to yell,

But when l carefully  observed around l wasn't  the only one who was on toes,

All were running  mechanically accomplishing their tasks and at times  reaching towards the  corner where at one time there used to be no dearth of water.

In my forties in no way am l going to gain any strength. 

My bones have begun to rattle and l am aware that the deterioration  that has set in with age has no reverse wheel,

And for this constant  struggle  for survival,

There is just little  strength  left in my weakening heels.

I just pray to the Great Lord to never let anyone suffer for a few drops of water.