Beads

One of the simplest objects that connect the rich, poor, ambitious, lazy, blessed, unfortunate or most individuals for that matter not just physically but even emotionally in our lives is beads. No matter who we are, where we come from or what we believe in, we are all connected by them.

“Beads” by Edlyn D’souza shows how individuals who seem to be radically different in their life or habits are in reality more alike than they think. It also shows how today’s reality could be tomorrow’s fantasy for any individual in this ever-changing world.

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Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada

A queue of different beads

threaded together on a string.

All crafted to be unique and different,

holding presumptions of what each may bring.

A variety of shapes and colours…

…some found by chance, some lent by others.

The unfortunate, the downtrodden,

suffering from lack of a chance.

Ridden with pain and hunger,

pleading in a begging stance.

Reliving their daily fears…

…crying out beads of tears.

The labourers, the wage earners,

working hard for mere nothings.

Slogging through each day’s work

and uncertainty the next one brings.

No dreams or hopes, only regret…

…losing life to beads of sweat.

The ambitious, the dreamers,

a cautiously optimistic lot.

Preparing for the best and worst,

when all to lose is all they’ve got.

Being led ahead by only hope as bait…

…chanting together on beads of faith.

The powerful, the influential,

those who make money move around.

They who fly in private jets,

whose feet needn’t ever touch the ground.

Applauded for their generous charity…

…wearing beads of prosperity.

Doesn’t matter where you come from,

we’re all strung together like beads.

Constantly interchanging one for another,

through our daily deeds.

Not knowing which beads you’ll hold tomorrow…

…unsure which ones bring joy, and which bring sorrow.​

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Awards

Edlyn D’souza was awarded the Best Poet of 2021 for this contribution.

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Credits

This contribution is reviewed by Gayatri Sharma & Nikhila Kotni, proofread by Sreekar Ayyagari, & photographed by Pankaj Tottada.

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Product

This poem is available in paperback & ebook.

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