Simple

is

half a roti

outgrown school uniforms

empty shampoo bottle that you keep reviving

squeezing the life out of a toothpaste

a bubble gum off the floor with a little bit juice left

raw tomatoes with red chilli powder to shut up your stomach growls

the oil in your long hair

5 rupees

to eat half a bun kebab

a few supaaris

to buy a pencil

you come from rags

you breathe simplicity

but you want to live with fire, stroking it, breathing into it

you won’t compromise

the supaari lingers on your tongue

you choose freedom over fear

riches mean nothing to you

all you remember is anger

and thirst

and hunger

for life

to live