Camouflage
/No time for laughter
Childish glee
Must seek work
Before they are ready
All under ten
Crouched over machines
Dressed in cast off rags
Denied childhood dreams
Tiny fingers sew garments
Wealthy strangers will wear
Muted light on focused faces
Camouflages despair
Pittance per piece
Each coin needed at home
Younger siblings to feed
Life monochrome
Every day the same
Soulless existence
All they know, expect
Basic subsistence
By Margaret Karim
From: United Kingdom