The Slum Child Poem by Abdul Samad

The slum child stares back
And his gaze, the vacant look, the fear in his eyes
The submission, the pain, the horror
Breaks something inside me
I don't know what has cracked
But the damage is permanent, irreversible
I cannot return his gaze, his powerful stare
I realize that he observes the black suit I adorn
The grey shoes I wear, the shining watch on my right hand
The careful knot of the tie, the cologne that emanates from my skin
He remains silent, his heart burning
My eyes drop, my head lowers
And my conscience erupts