One-eyed

the pot sees just another noisy child

the glass sees an eager and clumsy hand

the water sees a parched throat slaking thirst

but the teacher sees a girl breaking the rule

the doctor sees a medical emergency

the school sees a potential embarrassment

the press sees a headline and a photofeature

dhanam sees a world torn in half.

her left eye, lid open but light slapped away,

the price for a taste of that touchable water.

Meena Kandasamy
Meena Kandasamy is a poet and novelist.
Note: This poem, based on an actual event, brilliantly uses repetition and shifting point of view to tell a difficult story.