No Yams For me Please
i knew her when the years had rubbed the edges
off her hunger
off her fear
she was able to leave
a bit on a plate at dinner
then
though she still felt
the need
to push it in her mouth
sidelong looks
at a piece of pork
left near the edge
a taunt
or a game
but there were months,
years ago
when she eagerly
pushed aside a corpse
or two
to get to the yams underneath
she knew they were there
death's stench
only an
obstacle.
copyright Audrey Howitt 2017
Process Note: I should probably change the title of this piece to Refugee's Tales or something along this line--this is a true person and this was her history during the Second World War--I wrote this piece originally as Trump's first Muslim ban came out--
Posted today for Poet's United and for Dverse
Process Note: I should probably change the title of this piece to Refugee's Tales or something along this line--this is a true person and this was her history during the Second World War--I wrote this piece originally as Trump's first Muslim ban came out--
Posted today for Poet's United and for Dverse
Whew! For some reason this upset me....made me squirm...visceral reaction and ultimately, that's a compliment to you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard one Bill--made me uneasy when I wrote it too
DeleteA familiar dinner plate - A lesson in life.
ReplyDeleteAudrey I got the shivers on this one. Very Poe-like so it was creative. Occasionally I have been hit by muses with dark thoughts too.
ReplyDeleteI can feel her appetite, honed by the years of near starvation. This is very powerful writing.
ReplyDeleteThe tragedy of starvation is so well described... and how those memories will haunt you afterwards.
ReplyDeleteHaunting write!
ReplyDeleteGeesh! OK! Effective...
ReplyDeleteZQ
This is a powerful poem, Audrey! Really.
ReplyDeleteToo often we don't actually know what it's like to truly feel hunger day in and day out. We must be reminded or lose touch with our own humanity. Yes, this is an uncomfortable read, but then, it must be or it's truth and full reality would be lost, and we would be less for our unknowing. Thank you, for your courage to write it,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Well written with a message we all need to hear!
ReplyDeletePowerful piece.
ReplyDeleteWow so eerie and scary sort of. Such a battle with food!
ReplyDeleteDark truth is always appalling to give the soul a shiver. a powerful write Audrey...
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty clear it must have been a situation of war or famine, or both. And it certainly rings true; had to have been based on a real happening. You've told it well, very effectively.
ReplyDeletePowerful and intense - an impactful, compelling piece of writing. I appreciated the note, for context, but for many, really ... that is the reality of any war. Brilliant writing, Audrey!
ReplyDeleteSuch tales remind us all of our shared humanity.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a powerful write!
ReplyDeleteStarvation is hauntingly real for them in such a situation. They don't talk of having a job but of survival! Wonderful write Audrey!
ReplyDeletehttp://imagery77.blogspot.my/2017/04/it-is-engaging-upon-visitors.html
Hank
Thank you,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
https://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/
This is an incredibly compelling piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteThis hits my guts..powerful writing Audrey ~
ReplyDeleteI knew refugees from the WWII that had been so starved, they ate the soap in the rescue kits given to them by American soldiers. a visceral piece this is.
ReplyDeleteA timely poem. It's still going on and we should be ashamed. Powerful words;
ReplyDeleteHunger, when the bottom has been punched out by the powerful. What to do?
ReplyDeleteYour blog was absolutely fantastic! Great deal of great information & this can be useful some or maybe the other way.
ReplyDeleteKeep updating your blog,anticipating to get more detailed contents.
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