Poem by Neal Grace

Hunger

Tear off the doors of grain silos
so the grain flows unimpeded
from the fertile plains of America
to the remote villages of Africa.

Ship the ripe fruits of the tropics
to the emaciated children in the Middle East.

Quench the parched mouths of young women,
ready to give birth, with fresh, cool waters
from the gushing cascades
in the mountains of Canada.

No one should ever know the debilitating pain
of hunger!
Not when food is rampant throughout the world.

No one should have to watch their bodies shrink
in suffocating heat
while they become victims to starvation.
Not when a banquet of food is spread
in elegant displays in the palatial assemblies
of presidents and prime ministers.

No one needs to stagger on weak legs
as they move miserably
trying to find something to eat.
Not when the affluent nations throw away tons
of uneaten food every day.

No one should ever die of hunger
on this planet abounding with luscious edible foods!

Not one child! Not one mother! Not one grandfather!
Not millions who remain trapped
inside invisible prisons because of the lack of food.
The cells are locked, and the hours press agonizingly
upon the prisoners!

Bring them food!
Liberate them from their prisons!
Show them the compassion of an altruistic fellow human!
​
When one person goes hungry,
we all lose a tiny bit of our strength
and a tiny bit of our dignity
and a tiny bit of our identity
as children of the sacred Lord of Life!

Neal Grace has traveled the world on an adventure of discovery. His poetry portrays the wonders of life, as well as its challenges. He believes the quickest way to freedom and joy is by expanding consciousness and aligning with a greater compassion toward all beings. He lives in San Rafael, California with his beloved wife Jaclyn.

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