Relieving Starvation

RELIEVING STARVATION The sky was amber, the sun to set He walked in search of the regulars, Exhausted, his temple covered in sweat the street, kids role-playing ‘wrestlers’ Faces shone as they recognize This humble man, from afar With a package, beyond their fantasize Kid shouts “here’s man with a scar!” He bows to the old couples seated on the footpath Lifts up the kid, embracing his knees Who’s taken away for her routine bath Before the feast would cease. “It’s gruel, and gravy and paapad! “ The tiny boy shrieks. All hands up in the air, Like awaiting delicious treats. Devouring the dainty but dear feast Like it’s their last given morsel Tame is even the roadside beast, With gravy all down his torso. He stood still perceiving the scenes Fulfilment, from the filling guts The eagerness, and how the bowls it cleans The old couples retrieving to their huts. He walks away like always As happy as he could be Feeding their own share to the strays They pounce, face lit up with glee. A leaky, creaky dump, His very own humble abode Flumps on the hay mat in the corner That he himself sewed. Scrapes the bowl, impatient. Longing for some food Ran out of his ration To enlighten else’s mood Life’s unfair he knows For a minute he doesn’t regret To witness their smiles he goes Shares all food without a fret. Recalls the smiles of the homeless, Their blesses in murmurs, even tears He thanks almighty for the roof above Rests his eyes, conceives about the world, how Some stomachs remain empty Some full to the brim Some full with sufficient Some merely happy.