This is the first time I’m participating in the #BarAThon – a blogging Challenge which involves blogging on alternate days from Jun 17 – Jun 30, 2017. For each of the seven days, bloggers are free to choose either a theme or one of the several prompts or both.
I have chosen the prompt – ‘the fault is in the stares.’ Here’s my take on it.
She holds the wired fence
to catch your gaze,
her hungry eyes following yours,
as you sit by the window,
unwrapping your meal,
tucking into the edges of the burger.
She swallows her thirst,
unbeknownst to you.
For a minute, your eyes meet hers
transfixed on you,
following your hand,
While you catch up with a friend.
She stands alone
driven by the pangs of hunger
but, who really cares?
Yet another day to go hungry again,
and you say, the fault is in the stares?
*******
Read my post for #Barathon Day 2 here.
Poor little girl. How terrible to watch someone eat while you are hungry….. That’s why I am most uncomfortable eating al fresco on roadside stalls and cafes.
I agree Sunita. Feels very sad to see them.
Ah! That’s heart wrenching! It’s a sad reality for so many.
It is one of those things that we see all around us all the time, Shilpa and yet, feel the harsh reality that this divide between the poor and the privileged brings upon!
You know this poem actually reminded me of the book I’m reading these days about the children of Vel’ d’Hiv roundup. Sometimes I wonder why do children have to go through hunger, war and all that is bad in the world. They are children after all.
I think that there’s a lot of painful realities children face the world over, not just here and now. The horrific War time stories always haunt me for days even after the I’ve finished reading about them. As parents, we tend to look at children and their suffering in a different light too, don’t you agree?
So true for a developing nation like ours where kids have lost their childhood ,they just try hard to make both ends meet.
True, Shilpa! It’s a hard reality for many kids all over the world in many of the so-called developing nations.
This was heart-rending. How very sad and how beautifully you put it.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts here.
This is a different take on the prompt vis-a-vis others and it brings out the bitter reality very well. Looking forward to read many more stories written by you for BarAThon. Good luck Esha 🙂
Thank you very much, Anamika. I tried to look at it in a slightly different way. Wishing you good luck too. Will try and read the other posts by tomorrow hopefully!
Visiting from the Barathon challenge. What a truly heart wrenching piece. Cheers! Marquessa @simplymarquessa from Simply Marquessa
Thank you very much Marquessa for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Will hop onto yours and read yours later in the day! Good day to you. 🙂
There are just too many of them. Whenever we decide to leave a meal half eaten or buying more than what we know is our capacity to consume, we should think of them. Very well written. Cheers
You are right. It is part of a system that ensures the divide between those who have and those who don’t remains the same, no matter which way the winds of change blow! Brutal reality of our times!
Oh my god you made me cry Esha. This is such a sad brutal reality in the world. So many wrongs to put right. I tell myself there is a whole lot of goodness in the world and will tell you the same. Someone somewhere is looking out as angels in this world.
Oh, thanks dear! I know it can get a bit difficult to digest some truths. I wrote about something that I always feel very deeply about. This is one of the many things that make me feel sad when i see a child stare at people while they eat. Its is so heartbreaking and so brutally true!
Beautifully written and too true, all over the world.
Thank you Alana. You are so right. I’d have loved to disagree but can’t!
Heartbreaking!
Loved how you painted this sad picture, Esha! My heart went out to the little one…We really need to care much more than care about the stares, isn’t it?
True Shilpa. The care and compassion for our fellow beings should certainly go beyond just bothering about why they stare. I know many who get furious with such deprived kids. It is heartbreaking.
Ouch. The realism hurt. Beautifully penned.
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I know what you mean. Sad reality, no? Thank you Roshan for sharing your thoughts!
That’s a sad one and reality of so many children around us. Beautifully written, Esha!
Thank you so much, Parul!
Heartbreaking
Thank you, Natasha!
I loved this unique take on the prompt. It really is heartbreaking to know that some people have the opportunity to eat excessive food, while some have nothing to eat.
Thank you, Mithila. Yes, the disparity between the two sides – the haves and the havenots, is indisputable and prevalent all around us. Sad but true!
Simply put. Tugs at the heart strings.
Thank you Namratha. Sad that this happens ever so often!
What a lovely piece of writing Di..it is such a hard truth…
Thank you Tina. Yes, bitter truth of our present times!
So moving Esha! Beautiful!
Thank you Kala! 🙂