Belly stretched over the bomb,
he festered on stone ground grain,
while a million eyes
watched him chip his teeth.
Eyes wide and wild
with wonder at such feast,
his bones begged more
than a mere mention in Sunday’s News.
Ribs, rattling in his chest
listened to his heart hum
through lung-filled lethargy
that even the stone knew his name.
Oh, starved child, love lurks
heavy on your leaving.
We shall never know gnawing
like that which carves your caution.
Warmed gruel is cruel
when fish could be wrapped
in paper of the day, passed on
by those too busy to read between the lines.
Author notes
We oooh and awwwww through the Sunday News and then use the paper to hold spilled peelings of our Sabbath feast.
Yes the background is skin.....can you see it plead?
In a list
A contest entry
- Picture, Phrase Inspired Contest...What It MakesYouFeel or Think by mysticstorm.
425 points, ended January 20, 2007, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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"We shall never know gnawing
like that which carves your caution."
Such delicate & immaculate lines, my Sister...each one echoing the sounds of hunger...a wonderful way to bring clarity & purpose to what you hold so dear, my Friend...
Wanda
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Strong descriptiveness
This in some minsicule way is why grace is said prior to a celebrated feast. To thank the creator and our own lucky stars that but for the grace of God goes we! I know with the compassionate heart that you've shown in the meat of the work of yours.That is awfully hard to enjoy such bounty when knowledge exist of those dieing of starvation in places all over the good Earth of plenty.Emo evolking piece you've penned.~~Suseann
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Thank you, suseann. Since I retired, I have to work at being involved with chidlren...and children in need....I refuse to give money to corporations and find other ways to do it....liek for valentines day..I am taking secret valentines to a group that the principal will tell me have kids in need in it. Even one little bit helps.
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Oaky, please do not do that again! You changed the name after I commented. I was losing it looking for this entry and it almost did not get to the finals!!!
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Well, I am glad yo found it....hugs.
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This piece, my friend, gave me chills.. Your words just grabbed me by the scruff of my neck, shaking me.
We forget the other parts of the world because we, sometimes, are consumed by our greediness. What an injustice to ourselves and those that settle for the little that they have.
Soulful Woman
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You know, when I worked up north in those hungry palces, the kids had no idea how poor off they were....it was our view, mroe than theirs.
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excellent
very powerful. Send chills doen my spine. crulety in this world will never end. What breaks my heart these things happen because of some religion. some how we have to learn to except others as we do ourselfs
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Yes, you are right there as well.....it all sounds good in print...but it is action that is needed.
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Wow! This is very strong and moving. A very emotionally touching piece. I was really getting worried about the lin amount, but 20 is still okay.
Thank you sooo much for your entry and best to you in the contest!
The message was strongly stated!!!
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