8: 45 P.M. Poem by RIC BASTASA

i had this chance
of seeing you
eating
in my favorite restaurant

you have beer
and some chicken barbecue
and chili sauce
and some
sticks of cigarettes

i know you
have seen me
first
and in hiding your greed
and selfishness

you got hold
of your cellphone
press some
numbers
and letters
and pretend
you are so engrossed
with something
else

i very well understand
how the hardtimes
convinced
you
to take the shame
of eating
alone

and simply forget
all the hungry
children
in our home