The Stray Balloon

With millions thoughts, nestling inside my head

I was coming back from office, walking in a tired gait

The day had gone good; still I was exhausted;

Eager to reach home, I just couldn’t wait.

There were similar faces around

As far as I could see

Except, there was a stray balloon

A little ahead of me.

On the other side of the road, however

There were many more, waiting to be sold

And with them was a small girl,

Hardly ten years old.

She was too busy bargaining,

with a doting mother;

Clearly her work day,

was far from over.

She was not aware of

That balloon gone astray

All she was concerned about

Was earning her day’s pay.

I picked up the balloon and

Don’t-know-why I smiled;

As if I’ve just picked up,

Countless chuckles inside.

To return it back to her

I crossed the road with a zeal

I was feeling like a star,

As if it was a “Big Deal!!”.

Somewhere I hoped to see some joy

Or at least - some surprise

But all I found

Were two blank eyes.

With no expression or words,

She just took it away.

But holding that balloon for those 2 seconds,

Had made my day!!!