In this excerpt, Maxim Gorky highlights the abundance of children among the impoverished, emphasizing how they are often found in dire conditions, unkempt and hungry. The imagery suggests that these children, despite being the future and symbol of innocence and potential, are suffering from neglect and harsh living circumstances.

Children are the living flowers of the earth, but these had the appearance of flowers that have faded prematurely, because they grew in ground where there was no healthy nourishment. This metaphor underscores how poverty deprives children of the proper environment needed for healthy growth, leading to a premature decline of their vitality and potential. The quote eloquently captures the tragedy of neglect and deprivation faced by impoverished children.