Oh Woman

Oh woman, I see the strain in your face.
The little that you had, you have given.
At the table, you took no place,
That the souls of your children might not be driven
From the face of the earth.
So your diminutive frame is withered and has no girth.

Muscle wastes from your body.
Your skin cleaves unto your bone.
Your dress is dirty, wrinkled, and shoddy.
You are one of millions and not alone.
Your hands reach out showing open palms
Laced with scrawny fingers asking alms.

You hear your children’s stomachs growling,
As baby birds chirping in their nest.
The sound has sent you prowling
For food; you have found no rest.
You have been sacrificing your share and ignoring your need
Having concerns for your children, while letting your insides bleed.

If I let you starve, you die by my hand
As if I placed a gun to your head,
And my obdurate heart did not understand
That it pulled the trigger and let you fall dead
Before my feet.
When all you wanted was some food to eat.

May I participate in your murder?
Could it be my soul's destiny to kill,
Or is it my destiny to girder?
Should I be led by my will
To amass riches unto myself
And be consumed by my wants, my desires and my wealth?

Certainly, starvation has killed more
Than any weapon made.
Its devastation has tore
Through every commonwealth and glade.
Though it never declared a war
Surely its path has been laid
With streets full of gore
And the hurting and wounded seeking aid.
The question remains, which side am I on?
Am I Starvation’s enemy, or am I simply its pawn?

I have and you do not.
Am I justified to close my eyes to your suffering?
Has Fate determined your lot?
Is it wrong if I close my ears to your imploring?
Should I be looked upon with disdain
Because I close my heart to your pain?
Because I close my fists without restrain?

Is my provision merely a test
To see if I’m able
To make room at my table
And have you as my guest?
Yes,
I can spare a dime; and if it should take
A dime out of every dollar I make,
I give it for my own conscience’s sake.

Starvation is my enemy and I will not partake
In its scheme to cause mankind to forsake
That within us which is good:
Hearts of compassion and thoughts of brotherhood.
Your image has been impressed on my mind.
I garner my strength and every resource I find
To provide food to the hungry, that they may sup.
For all of mankind drinks from the very same cup.