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Questions for Hunger's Messenger (The 10th September Song)

On Tuesday September 11, 2001, at least 35,615 of our brother and sisters died from the worst possible death, starvation. Somewhere around 85% of these starvation deaths occur in children 5 years of age or younger. Why are we letting at least 30,273 of the most beautiful children die the worst possible death everyday? Every 2.43 seconds another one of our fellow brothers and sisters dies of starvation. Starvation doesn't just happen on Tuesday September 11, 2001, it happens everyday, 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, it never stops.

Alongside the sheen of uncertain sunlight, my stomach’s alarm floats a bitter pang like an omen. Low down, it rises.

Ahead of nightfall, grumbling loud, reminding me its there, “Remember the hungry”, it clangs, “You’ve enough to spare.”

Running in like a frightened child the messenger stumbles ever so briefly with news meant to feed me, afford me a message of affection. My face feels most ancient. My love feels new. I smile upon the runner with joy and open my arms to her.

Her breathing is even and bold, she stands before me, shimmering, like the questions I hold. “Why has hunger shown itself to me?” “Why must hunger take a child?” “Why does it wed with greed?” “Why won’t hunger die?”

Her breathing is even and bold. Looking as if she's about to leave, she turns to me and asks, “Why won’t you slay it?”

Stunned, I counter, “Bring hunger out to face me! I will smother it! I will devour its wrath!”

She smiles warmly, “Is that all?”

I feel daring and my feet are steady yet my stomach aches for more, so I ask, “Isn’t that enough death for now?”


© 2010 by mark prime

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