Hunger! Poem by Ajit Das

A poor, half-clad hungry small boy
standing near a restaurant
looks through the window glass
at the trays arrayed with food stuff.

He tries to get closer, but pushed away
by uncaring, rude, insensitive hands.
Withdrawing to other side of the road,
he keeps on looking with an appetizing gaze.

Suddenly he finds a food item
slipping down from a buyer's bag.
He rushes though pedestrians, picks it up,
returns to the spot where he was sitting.

It's a piece of pancake; he lifts it to his mouth,
but lowers his hand, thinking of something.
He stands up, starts walking, then running,
running faster through the crowd.

He reaches his home, throws open the door,
finds his younger brother waiting for him.
He offers him the pancake; the kid starts eating.
Tears well up in his eyes; he forgets his own hunger;