"It's a shame,
that we put the blame,
on the ones suffering,
the blunt of their pain."

Mistakes being committed,
can be redeemed, forgiven,
if there's remorse in heart,
conscious efforts were made...
To rectify, to change.

Then, there are some actions,
that are genuine and justifiable,
yet powerless, on the opposite spectrum,
of the communities, forming opinions.

But the most hurtful were those,
getting punished for a cruel fate,
isolated, abused, even denounced...
For being afflicted by disease or illnesses.

Stigma,
It's a matter of perception,
without awareness on subject,
or influenced by our emotions.
Like a herd mindset,
taking comfort in majority,
dissociating from the weak,
or punishing the offenders.

Who will decide the price,
that one bears, from the branding,
without encouragements or supports,
bravely facing this world, all alone.

© Dr. Manish Rout