Like a green caterpillar
Trying to hide
By balancing on a stem
Between two green leaves,
She stood in the park
Between two large croton bushes
With lemon and brown leaves
Matching the colours of her clothes,
What looked like
A once-floral dress.
Taking care not to draw
Attention
By the rustling of leaves,
She sat on the ground,
Unwrapped a packet of sandwiches,
And began to devour them.
Then, out of nowhere,
A little boy appeared
Crying loudly that his lunchbox
Was empty, that he was
Hungry.
They found her lying
In a heap on the ground,
Beside a half-eaten sandwich.
The dress she seemed to be wearing
Was really a worn and dirty
Blouse and skirt.
In a hurry to finish,
She had choked on the food,
The first she had eaten
In days.
*Inspired by an article in a magazine
interesting piece.. sad though.. good writing.
This is compelling reading Sandra. To think a person can be so hungry to steal a child's lunch box. So many of our early emigrants from England had stolen bread for a meal and were shipped to Australia as convicts. Thanks for sharing it Sandra. I hung on to every word you wrote.... 10 love Karin
My heart bleeds reading this.As I always see and experienced children who are suffering from poverty.We did our part every week end, helping out an outreach program (NGO) of my Grandma, a nun. This is really very true, and I admire your being sensitive to the needs of the children. This is a powerful message.To be heard loud and clear. Hugs, Meggie
any comment on incidents such as these will only make us less human...it's a real life, sandra, tell me what judgement can one pass without sounding superscilious?
oh God..that was so sad story and as Obinna said a shocking ending which shows your beautiful way of telling a story..that was a trully so excellent one...will not forget it..thanks
It is the abruptness of the change from the quiet descriptive to the shocking conclusion that 'makes' this poem. Cleverly put together, you share your horror at the story you tell with great skill. This could only happen in real life. It's just too horrendous to be invented. Love, Allie ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The beautiful picture you paint in the beginning with such lovely colors caught my interest and kept me interested. The ending is truly a shock. Well presented.
Excellent work Sandra, I really like the contrast you created in this poem, well done. Love, Andrew
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Amazing incident which encourages one to hold back moral judgements in the face of survival.