Poem by Aarna Pandey

The hungry boy
​
I am hungry, neglected and wild,
I am an unwanted poor child.
A crowded, dirty street is my abode,
Ravaged by buzzing mosquitoes, and croaking toads.
Food is all I crave for
My stomach is dry, and my eyes are sore.

Don’t revoke my right to exist 
Hunger and food in a magnetic tryst,
A fire that has deluged me in captivity,
And, tested my patience and ability,
Now craves to extinguish eternally,
Externally and internally.

Bathing in the depths of despair,
Under the blanket of poverty, I wear,
The seesaw of starvation and fatigue,
Swings my skeletal physique,
I battle to swim through this pain,
And, shatter the hunger chain.

Through pain and sadness,
In incessant madness,
Humanity stares at me,
Impelling me to be free,
Helping hands reaching out,
Carrying smiles throughout.

Hugs draped with love and compassion,
Where humanity trumps over unjust reasons,
My empty plate now full of food,
Convinces me to believe in good.
In humanity, my soul finds a new home,
And God whispers, ‘’you’re not alone.”

I am Aarna Pandey, student of grade 7 at Lancers International school, Gurgaon, India. I am deeply concerned and passionate about climate change and the United Nations sustainable development goals. My works aims to create awareness about these crucial issues. I have participated in many online workshops that discuss workable solutions to these global problems.

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