Begging To Live Poem by Mark Meck

The sun scorches his feet blistering the sole
But the son knows it cannot break his soul
He wearily takes the journey towards a shimmering point
Might be an oasis to quench his hunger

Scoundrel dogs too are hungry, to the spot they go
Their pink tongues out, to snatch breaths from the dry air
Their tails between the legs, foreboding subservience
Might be a chance to pick a bone or two and survive another day

Days are the same as there is nothing to remember
Today, yesterday or tomorrow are all shades of darkness, the colour of poverty
All around death lingers like vultures to the prey and survival is by chance, the prerogative of nature
Forget your wordy prayers _ they melt before they reach your gods, fight instead, fight

When the battle is set, food is at stake, winner takes all
Man against animal, life against death
How long is life anyway, but just a spray of breath _ eighty at best for most shorter
But he struggles to live anyhow, oblivious of stalking death.

(Mark Meck 4/10/2019)