Spoonful of Rice
(This is a universal story of mother’s sacrifice for their children, be it material, emotional, or intellectual.)
It was during the Korean War
Father was taken away by the Communists
Months ago
He never returned
Mother and I were left alone
In an island as refugees
Without anyone supporting us
One day
Mother brought a cup of rice
For me to eat
Only three spoonful
In the cup
I gobbled it up
Without much thought
Feeling still hungry
Mother took the cup in the kitchen
Closed the door
Through a crack
I saw Mother scraping
Scraping the bottom of the cup
For a few grains left
She licked the spoon over and over
How long has she been hungry
To feed me?
I froze
Really froze
I quietly left the room
To a beach nearby
Looking at the horizon
Where ocean met the sky
Far far away
Wanting to swim
Toward it
Until my strength
Sapped to nil
So that Mother didn't have to
Feed another mouth
Then a question surfaced
Will she be happy without me
So she can feed herself?
No way
Was my answer
She has already lost
Many of her loved ones
Without me
She will not go on living
I stood
With my heart filled with
Opposing forces
Resumed my walk
Toward Mother
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