poverty of smiles

I was waiting on the bus stop
In blue jeans and expensive top.
Of my riches I was fully aware
but didn’t know my soul was bare.
What was he asking that I couldn’t give
in spite of the knowledge
that on this cart he would forever live.
Let me first introduce him to you.
He was a beggar and leper too.
His pain obviously I couldn’t share
but was it necessary to give a cold stare.
he gave me a smile and said “ namaskar”
I turned my eyes to a speeding car.
At this he giggled
and made me shiver
he laughed as if to mock me.
his laughter then said to me
” I am poor and know this fact
to hide your poverty you put up an act.
if I begged for money I might have got
but I did not.
I begged for smile
which you did not.
I am a rich man I own smile.
You are poor, with poverty of smile.