You could see every bone under tightly drawn skin.
He couldn't be over eighty pounds, he was so thin.
I had to look away, it was so sad.
To think there were those that didn't have what I had.
He must have felt my uneasiness, for he asked me why I frowned.
Then I stared and looked at him up and down.
I answered, "I frown because you are starving and I am not."
He laughed, "Me? Starving? You've got it wrong. I have a lot."
This threw me back and I stared at him in wonder.
How could he say that. When you could see his hunger?
So I asked again, "Are you starving?", just to see what he would do.
He again answered "No.", and asked, "Are you?"
I said "No!" And now truly confused, I sat.
Then the boy asks, "Are you sure about that?
Do you love your neighbors as your sister or brother?
Do their needs come second only to those of your mother?
If one were sad would you wipe off their tear?
Can you sleep through a night with no fear?
Could you trust one to cover your back?
I think not. I believe this is what you lack.
You have fighting, bitterness and abuse.
I am full while you hunger for a truce,
between your own people, so that you may live without fear.
What he was saying was at last becomming clear.
He was full, while I was starving and yearned,
for his peace, his tranquility, but I had learned
What he had meant, and I understood.
We too could achieve this, if we only could,
learn to listen, care for each other,
love one another, like a sister or brother.
Everything he had said was so true.
Are we starving? Am I? Are you?
Kris Prather
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