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I Walk Through Shadow

I walk through shadow, my head bowed low Thoughts of children suffering from hunger pangs, Little tots that circumstances won’t allow to grow In faraway, desolate lands where it seldom rains. With the world’s wealth, what is it that constrains Our realizing the depth of despair of dying slow, For lack of the necessities of life: water, grain I walk through shadow, my head bowed low. Surely with all our knowledge, we ought to know What to do to fertilize those stretches of dry plain, The power of an ounce of compassion can show Thoughts of children suffering from hunger pangs. Ponder the petty conditions that make us complain Most of us never feel life in our arms ebb and flow, Or experience dire hardships only nature explains Little tots that circumstances won’t allow to grow. I have been to countries where the dry winds blow Daily subsistence is more crucial than who reigns, Owning a sparse-producing land that one can hoe In faraway, desolate lands where it seldom rains. From our abundance enough their lives to sustain Enough of our surplus to relieve some of their woe, Giving them the knowledge so they can maintain As a result, a blessing to see their faces glow, I walk through shadow. Written November 23, 2022

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Bill Baker

Date: 11/23/2022 4:23:00 PM

Powerful, humane poetry, my friend. No one should have to starve to death in this day and time. Bill

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/23/2022 6:43:00 PM

I can't believe anyone in the whole wide world could disagree with this, Bill. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.

Ann Peck

Date: 11/23/2022 1:12:00 PM

Your poem is very loving, Milton. It is sad that we have children hungry, even in the United States; children whose parents can't afford medical care or medicines, a pair of shoes, warm blanket. It should not be this way! Thanks for writing about the sadness in this world.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/23/2022 6:44:00 PM

This is, unfortunately, true, Ann. Poverty and hunger is a worldwide problem that we have the resources to solve ... just not the will, I'm afraid.

Jenna Logan

Date: 11/23/2022 12:39:00 PM

Seeing the sorrowful faces of children in third world countries is heartbreaking. Far be it for me to suggest birth control as a solution in addition to the need for healthy food but bringing children into the world under such circumstances is worth the thought. Your write is tenderly caring, Milt.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/23/2022 12:59:00 PM

Jenna, I believe birth control is an important solution to the problem, but many of these people have no knowledge of such things. Many of them live very primitively. I was amazed at their lack of understanding of some simple concepts like "an apartment building" or "a grocery store." When I mentioned the "stock market," my interpreter had no idea what I was talking about, and it was hard to explain it to him.