The Child Who Begs

• Nicola Fowler, Grade 8, Chilton Saint James
• Poetry
• 2000

2nd in the 'Watch Out! 2000' competition

As she wanders the snowy streets
The pavement biting her feet
The rags that she calls clothes blow around her
Like cobwebs

She holds out a hand that’s scrawny and blue
She begs for a penny or maybe some food
And the wealthy people pass her
Without a glance

She begged at doors before
But it didn’t get her more
The ladies sent her away
With the kick of a boot

And so as the little girl huddles there
Her sweet face turns empty
Her cold body lifeless
And nobody knows
And nobody cares