There's people living in the garbage;

their children are born here,

they live and die here.

But they laugh together-

and play basketball.

It is impossible to imagine

the smell that creeps down my throat;

the tickle of a thousand flies,

heat like an oven

and shy smiles.

But all of that is gone in a moment as the gentle rhythm of a

heartbeat

fills the air.

The children lead each other by the hand

and come to listen;

thump-thump, thump-thump

open mouths, wide eyes.

and for an instant-

no garbage

no filth

no hunger-

only life.