My family has deserted me,
my friends have forgotten me.
I lie here in the corner of the street
with no-one for company.

Dogs and insects surround me.
Children run away from me.
I have seen the fear in their eyes.
People curse me, they hate me.

I cry alone silently
remembering the times
when all was right;
no sadness and no misery.

I had friends and family;
my parents ,wife and children;
I loved them all
and they loved me.

But then one day,
they cast me out.
They said,"You are a burden on us,
on the society".

They called me a leper
and cursed one.
I cried bitter tears,but
they turned their faces away from me.

I was left alone in this cruel world,
lonely and friendless.
I had but only a bell around my neck
to warn people off.

Some throw money at me
in disgust.
Seeing my rotting flesh,
they cover their faces and walk away.

Vermins cover my body
pus and blood ooze out of my wounds;
detested by all,
God, is this life?

At night as I lay on the wet ground
looking up at the night sky,
I think of how dark
my own life is.

"Oh God!",I cried,"What have I done
to deserve such a life?
What harm had I caused
to anyone?

"Why do I have to suffer so?
Humilliation and pain I have to bear.
Is not death
better than such a life?"