Impoverished Dignity Poem by Gregory Huyette

I seek but a dash of water to quench my horrible thirst.
I scour dumps for scraps as my children’s stomachs burst.
I have so many enemies like angry ground and skies.
I know not why I’m chosen the one that they despise.

In less than a minute my country is destroyed.
Sickening sights of dead and dying, I’m unable to avoid.
My people came to this land to escape becoming slaves.
For many now their escapes will be at best mass graves.

I was born with nothing and grew up with pain and death.
Now it’s so much harder to sustain each belabored breath.
All I ask is that dash of water to keep my babies alive…
And a few grains of rice so that they can survive.

I have not asked for much, but even then I’ve been denied.
I hope my young will seek more and not be too satisfied.
Ground and sky, be friend or foe, will always fill the days.
Though tragic, I seek a chance to dignify impoverished ways.