Poem by Karl Kadie

The following poem was inspired by Dr. Jayne Shatz's artwork, The Empty Bowl, which appears on the
​Poetry X Hunger website--ART - Poetry X Hunger.

Hunger Dance

Why not give it to me now,
my death certificate? Why wait
until my heart stops walking,
until my body tumbles
over the cliff of consciousness?

I haven’t eaten in days.
Because I’m bed-bound,
my son and daughter
used to bring me food.
Stop, I told them.
You’re pulling bread
out of your childrens’ mouths.

It’s nighttime, my best time
for resting and healing.
The moon is full
and the stars dance
in a web of luna celebrations.
Tonight, though, heat
beats through the room,
greases the bedrail, darkens
the sheets with sweat.
I pull up my shirt for relief
and watch my ribs
glisten in the moonlight,
rising into their own constellation,
ready to join the party above.

​The sound of my body shutting down
is deafening. Still, I discover
a small repository of strength.

I extend my hand.
Please, I say. Give me what you can.

Karl Kadie is poet and author of Revenge of Nature and The Burning House. His poetry has appeared in The Sailors Review, Poetry Ink Anthology, The Santa Clara Review, New Verse News, and many other publications.

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