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Boarding the bus on a busy road
Was suddenly accosted by this
Vagabond of a man
Not exactly in tatters, for sure
But had a glassy look about him
Rumpled hair and dry mouth
I shrank as he extended
A dirt striped hand
And mumbled something like
"Didi! give me a tenner please
Haven't eaten a morsel
Whole day long"
Spontaneity had the better of me
As I handed him the note
He vamoosed as though he was never there!
The man next to me grinned derisively
"Made a fool of you! He's a dopey... you see"
We share the day with each other
And everyday invariably
They leave the table littered with
Sparsely eaten plates
I tell them, "Its a waste!
Recall those who do not have enough
Children of forgetful Gods..
They belong to this Earth
As you and I do"
They have stopped sharing the table with me
And call me names
Behind my back, of course!
I overheard one of them, the other day...
I shun them as well
It doesn't hurt anymore
The feeling is mutual
As usual...
Note : "Didi" is an address for elder sister
This poem is shared with Poets United's Weekly Motif Food
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Sage words here. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks De!
DeleteWell, I think the narrator is generous to have given generously, and to think of the hungry while others are wasting food. I really enjoyed this poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry
DeletePerfect narrative, showing layers and layers of human types, some even inhuman!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan ...thanks for understanding me
DeleteThat is quite a tale really. But I would like to understand its meaning. I understand the first four stanzas, but the last four stanzas confuse me, admittedly. Who stopped sharing the table with you? I don't understand that. And I don't understand why they would call you names. I am missing something important, but I do want to understand!
ReplyDeleteMary there are people who don't wish to be told they are wrong. In return, they get angry and take recourse to jeers and sniggers. Its sad and strange but it is true.
DeleteThe food wasted in some places versus the starving communities in others... it ought to be a simple choice you'd think.
ReplyDeleteYes, but it is not.....I understand what you want to say
DeleteI loved reading this one... thanks for sharing... :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Archana
DeleteBetter to give food than money.
ReplyDeleteThanks Old Egg
DeleteI like your choosing to write on something like this. It may seem trivial to some, but this topic commands a high respect in my mind.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your taking a stand in the face of stupid ridicule.
Thanks for endorsing my views Saket
DeleteGreat thought wonderfully expressed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amitji
Deletenicely poem vanderloost
ReplyDeleteits make me good feeling
Weldon
good luck!
Thanks Nuwan
DeleteI also think that food wastage is a crime...I like the story-line revealing different characters...
ReplyDeleteThanks Sumana
DeleteSuch a profound piece :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sanaa
DeleteI think we can all be fooled - perhaps it is the sign of a warm and generous heart..we live and learn i suppose each and every day
ReplyDeleteYes Jae. Very true.
ReplyDeleteThey say not to encourage beggars by giving them money. Seriously, I am not sure where I stand in that debate. It is a pity that such a circumstance exist in this country in the first place. People who say this should first make sure that they do something about it rather than shunning them outrightly. The message is put across so strikingly in your lines.
ReplyDeleteWhether you are a beggar or a bourgeois, mockery of food is not acceptable.
DeleteWell-penned, I'd rather be made a fool a few times by giving money to some con men, rather than let a genuinely poor person starve...
ReplyDeleteYes, I appreciate your sentiments Nicholas. Thanks for being on this post
Delete