Poem by Nikhil Mehra

Our Thanksgiving Food Chain

November. Leaves crackle beneath my feet on West 114th Street
As I walk toward the Broadway Presbyterian Church, silent against
The metallic roar of the M104 and the frantic chaos of students
Trying to drown out the city.

I join hands with fellow students to form a lifeline
Youngest to oldest
A living stream from our chapel at St Hilda’s St Hugh’s School
Into the church basement’s quiet mouth.

Hand to hand, we transfer the weight of
Cans of food, heavy and cold as river stones
Boxes of rice that shift like silty sand
The rhythmic flow of tiny palms against tin and cardboard.

The transfer of love and caring
Not just food, but a current
Each member of our community necessary
By the simple act of not letting go, until the next child had a grip.

The chain is soon gone but the weight remains

floating

​A realization that tethered me
to the Thanksgiving tables of others
We are only as full as the things we choose to pass along.

THEME: Childhood Hunger

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Nikhil is a rising sophomore student in New York City. He became interested in the issue of food insecurity while in middle school and began volunteering at local food pantries and with a local community organization focused on welcoming immigrants. He also enjoys tutoring elementary and middle school students in math. A competitive swimmer, Nikhil swims on his high school varsity team and competes in regional competitions with his club team.​

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