Drawing courtesy Vishakh Mohan

Hunger burns scorches and chars

Singes my flesh, sears my soul.

The fiery flame rises, flares and blazes

Turning to ashes, the heart’s desires.

I snatch at the scraps thrown my way

Clutch at the straws that blow my way

Nothing is mine its all half-eaten

When hunger gnaws I grab, I’m fallen.

They throw me bits and pieces

Leftovers that nobody wants

From laden tables and heaped plates

Their full hearts, the even fuller lives.

When the smoldering flame gains and pains

And the longing grows, is too much to bear

I bow my head, I bury my pride

I stretch my arms to beg for alms.

I am an urchin, a lonely waif

Looking for one who has something to spare

Foraging bins, roaming the streets

Dreaming wild dreams that will never be….

– Shail Mohan (2007)

Reposted from shail-mohan blogs @ sulekha.com