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Neighbourhood kids chorus Hi Hi Hi

The weird white auntie is passing by

A mystery of human soul and heart

For them such fun day in day out

is my wounded pride and growing self doubt

my fragile inner peace is torn apart

I bring good news, can't they see?

I lay bare my self to set them free!

Do they really reject or merely mock?

Oh how I detest being a laughing stock.

The One I follow has been here before

Abandoned by those He lived His life for

Crushed by the system He lived to redeem

They stripped, whipped, laughed and spat

You let Your Self absorb all that

Returned love, still living the dream.

You bring Good News I can see,

You lay Your Self bare to set me free

When they really reject or merely mock

Make me a more gracious laughing stock.

[The author has lived amongst the urban poor in India for several years with her husband and two sons.]