OUTSIDE THE VATICAN

 

 








 

(Research shows many people would rather

Throw away small change than pick it up.

It also shows that they would rather

Walk past than pause at the beggar’s cup).

Head buried in black rags, frail and bitter,

This beggar-woman of Rome screws herself up

On the busy pavement like a ball of human litter,

Her bony hand clinging to the polystyrene cup.

Face down, wringing prayer after pitiful prayer

From herself, she desperately offers them up

To a power beyond her which denies her a share

In that Holy Palace and its golden cup.

So near yet so far, here in the square of Saint Peter,

She, and so many like her, can but lift an empty cup

And dream of a higher place so much sweeter.

Dream on, beggar-women of Rome, but never look up.

(2007)

I’ve never been, but they say that India is a country of great contrasts - none more so than that between its rich and poor. I have, however, queued to go and traipse through some of the world’s most expensive art-treasures after passing by those wraith-women perched like shrivelled crows around the steps of the Vatican. The money-changers are still in the temple and capitalism and religion are still hand in hand…

The picture appears by courtesy of Google Images.