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A Hunger Unfed

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Not sure this qualifies as free verse, so I'll call it prose. For the Contest of Edward Ibeh:

This Or That, Vol 24 Poetry Contest

title chosen: A Hunger Unfed/ Date: March 26, 2024

Many a hunger goes unfed. Some adjust and live with it, finding satisfaction in suitable activities. Others push that hunger down, deeper and deeper, filling the empty hole inside themselves with dangerous addictions that take the place for what they hunger for. Starved for the attention or love they never received as children, voracious some become. They fill the void with things like gambling, ***********, drugs or alcohol. Each addiction follows its victim through life like a dark abiding shadow. Some, needing control of their own lives, literally starve themselves of food deliberately, becoming anorexic or bulimic and vomiting their food back up. The remedy for normalcy becomes nearly impossible for them to achieve. For others, life is boring or unfulfilling. Ravenous as wolves, they stuff their faces. A paradox is this – for they are not feeding physical hunger. They need guidance and understanding, and the will-power to resist an over-abundance of food, which some mistakenly believe they hunger for. Too many hunger for money or material possessions. They cannot satisfy their cravings, and this may lead to crime or even murder. Look around and see the many people hungering for what. . . they may not even know. How sad is a society when what’s considered harmful or immoral becomes the norm for what we choose to engorge ourselves upon. Like the swollen bellies of children in third world countries, the substitutions for what many of us hunger for will become the death of us.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 4/8/2024 7:00:00 PM
Powerful and captivating work, Andrea, This one hits hard. "How sad is a society when what’s considered harmful or immoral becomes the norm for what we choose to engorge ourselves upon." I felt this. Heartiest congratulations on your podium win in my contest!
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/9/2024 1:02:00 PM
thanks so much, Edward
Date: 3/30/2024 9:15:00 AM
Andrea, Ah yes, hunger! Here is what I hear in your fine poem: "A Hunger Unfed" elicits sadness and empathy for those who grapple with the voids within themselves, resorting to harmful behaviors in a futile attempt to fill unmet needs. Your poem is a reminder of the complex human condition, where the quest for fulfillment and the pain of unaddressed desires lead to cycles of self-destruction. Many walk about in 'unfed hunger.' Cheers, Don
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Date: 3/29/2024 12:03:00 PM
Andrea, you have captured the ills of our addictions in some detail and with a lot of examples. Were you a psychologist in a previous life? I get completely how difficult it is for many of us to control ourselves even though we know cognitively that we should. There's a lot going on inside our minds and there's a lot of trying to satisfy something quickly without doing it right.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/29/2024 3:51:00 PM
you are very astute, Duke. I wanted to major in psychology, but I ended up taking the easier path and majored in Spanish with ESL! Thank you.
Date: 3/27/2024 10:59:00 AM
Nice poem. Well penned thoughts on ills of our society.
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Date: 3/27/2024 10:23:00 AM
It is sad, very sad, and youv covered almost all, from your compassionate and kind heart. Reality is this, and so many are consumed and drowning in material possessions etc to fill the void. I love the fact that youv also mentioned bulimia etc which is something common today too, i love this poem! Your words reached my soul and heart and left a deep impression so poetically and effortlessly! A fave this is for me! Best wishes for the contest too. Sending you light always
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/27/2024 9:27:00 PM
I am so glad you like this I always feel bad that I can't express myself with free verse. I usually end up writing prose or narrative.
Date: 3/27/2024 4:40:00 AM
Dear Andrea, I loved how you delve deep into the myriad ways we attempt to fill the voids within us. Your amazing portrayal of various hungers, be it for love, control, or material possessions, is deeply felt. It's a sobering reflection on the consequences of unfulfilled desires and the destructive paths we may tread in search of satisfaction. Your poetic words compel introspection and empathy, the importance of understanding and addressing our inner yearnings. - Blessings, my friend, Daniel
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/27/2024 9:28:00 PM
Thanks so much, Daniel
Date: 3/26/2024 5:13:00 PM
A righteous warning for all. We should be ashamed of ourselves for the greed and selfishness we possess. A materialistic world. Andrea, you have spun truth, alarming as it is! B0l ~Anaya
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/27/2024 9:29:00 PM
Thank you
Date: 3/26/2024 4:38:00 PM
So very true Andrea, the lack of love and attention in childhood has lasting effects, leading to all kinds of problems. All the best for the contest… Beryl
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/27/2024 9:32:00 PM
So many things affect different people in different ways. Then there are those few with good families who kill animals. The bad seeds that become serial killers. That one mystifies me.
Date: 3/26/2024 4:32:00 PM
Such insight and sad truth within your poem. I agree. How sad is society when 'good becomes evil and evil becomes good.' Can't believe I've witnessed that in my own lifetime. Somes I think I'm living in a nightmarish world that disturbs me. Society definitely has a hunger unfed. Okay, off my soap box now. I appreciate the strength in your words. Have a splendid evening, hugs, Sara
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/27/2024 9:34:00 PM
You think the way I do. And I am so sick of the term Woke. Don't even get me started.
Date: 3/26/2024 3:38:00 PM
So much truth in every line, thought provoking piece Andrea. good luck in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/27/2024 9:34:00 PM
Thanks, my friend
Date: 3/26/2024 3:32:00 PM
This is so true and poignant to the max. I don't think sex is a banned word is it? Anyway, this feels like a winner.
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Tom Woody
Date: 3/27/2024 11:13:00 AM
Agreed. Silly
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/27/2024 6:43:00 AM
I did not even say sex. I said pornography. This is ridiculous to ban words that are necessary to full meaning.

Book: Shattered Sighs