Emaciated child-beggar in rags*

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

No father

No food

Give me a penny

Sir\Madam

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

No shelter

No clothes

No drink

Give me a penny

Sir\Madam

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

Per humanity

Per the prophets

Per God

Give me a penny

Sir\Madam

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

I am shrouded in cold

My feet cannot bear me

Pain is dwelling in my limbs

Give me a penny

Sir\Madam

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

Grand speech I cannot

To persuade I cannot

To appeal I cannot

Give me a penny

Sir\Madam

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

Treat me as would your own heart

Treat me as you would your own blood

Treat me as you would your own soul

Give me a penny

Sir\Madam

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

Ponder tomorrow

Ill fate may befall anyone

Even your very self

Even your next of kin

Ponder tomorrow

Ill fate may befall

your very son

Ponder tomorrow

Ill fate may befall

your very daughter

Give me a penny

Sir\Madam

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

Ah! Ah! Ah!

The emaciated child-beggar

in rags almost nude

extends a famished wrinkled hand

to any passers-by

with a creaking painful

inaudible faint voice:

Why

out of my father’s loins

did I ever come

to take such a toll upon me!

Why

out of my mother’s womb

did I ever come

To take such a toll upon me!

Why

upon God’s will

did I ever come

to take such toll upon me!

Is it due

to Godless religion?

Or

Is it due

to Godless socialism?

Or

Is it due

to Godless humanity?

From PTALS OF TROCHETIA