Poetry 2015 Longlist, Shreya Naik

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God is..
Not in the Himalayas
He is residing
In the slums,
On the borders,
In the beggar’s bread
In the Cancer patient’s strength
Do not search him
In the temples, churches
Or mosques
Gone are the days
When he could peacefully
Sit on his throne
Listen to your prayers
Wipe your tears
And attend your fears
Go after him
If you want to be blessed
Give the hungry
His share of bread
Add life to the life
Who is already half dead
Spend that extra penny
Not on your luxury
But the comfort of
The child shivering
On the road
Seek God
Not on his throne
Gone are the days
When he was not begging on the road