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.
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