Spare
Half rupee By bus to school, And half more saved When I'd come back. From a note of ten, Everyday, A coin of one Upon my stack. Saved, thus earned, My daily wage Piled up at A glacial pace. Towers grew, Until I bought A book— one-tenth Its price in weight. Here, today, The weight is gone! I pay by clicks And swipes and scans. When one in need Walks up to ask, I pat my purse With helpless hands. The bits of what I earn are rare. Big awkward notes Lie unexchanged. No tiny piles Of saved up coins... The price of good old Change has changed.








