Hunger No, Starvation Yes

‘No hunger, no starvation’, His voice booms The lusty crowd Wearing emaciated faces Claps, whistles and cheers She musters A disinterested smile Eyes brimming with tears Their roles Everyone knew She too Ferried in buses rickety Of course for free And then the promised money So tempting, you see But, she’s been away now Six hours Doctor had given her twelve She gets nervous Another two hours Homeward journey In the bus But first Netaji must end His speech, Her misery A deafening roar Boundless glee Time for rewards Near stampede Outstretched hands She with others wrenches Jostling, pushing and pulling Finally the promised 500 rupee note She clenches Makes haste No time to waste The money thus given Can fetch her some morsels She cannot afford The last of her brood To also succumb to want of food.