The Hungry Boy Poem by .Pd. is here
The Hungry Boy
Skin stretched over his ribcage
My eyes moistened looking at his feeble image.
Sweeping the floor of Borivali Fast
Approaching me with his hands outstretched.
His palms were stroking his sucked in stomach
Emaciated body shackled by hunger.
Eyes beckoning me to help his cause
I melted by his form.
Rained a few toffees in his tiny hand
And handed a bag of grapes secured by a rubber band.
His eyes lit up like a star-lit light
His smile, Oh, It was a one-time sight.
He walked to his mother, handed the food to her
She voraciously dumped some of it in her mouth
And also fed her younger kid
While the hungry boy just looked on.
I was shocked at his mother’s behaviour.
Calling the boy back, I gave him a sandwich that I had.
He sat, but did not eat.
On asking him the reason, he replied-
‘They’re my only family, I can forego food and my health
But I can never give up on them
Because in this big bad world,
My family is my wealth.’
‘Thank You Didi*’, that’s the last he said
I was overwhelmed by his act
And thought that on this life’s stage
He was a boy whose maturity defied barrier of age.
Butterflies must still be rumbling in his empty stomach
He wasn’t sad, for I saw the satisfaction in his eyes
On going hungry for a sibling and his mother
Thus keeping his family ties alive.
Family’s happiness filled his stomach to the core.
He wasn’t hungry anymore.
(28 August 2006)
great poem preets...this one is your 100th and a landmark poem...you are sensitive soul...great to know you preets...i was right from the start impressed with your maturity...wish you all the luck for a great and fulfilling future...love...nalini
A portrait of a hungry boy, Preeti has drawn thro' her powerful word. The whole scene comes before me like a flash back as I am tempted read it once more. Nice Preeti. Nice Poem.
that was beautiful, Preeti, i have written a poem on the same subject on My space but in Hindi...... a full 10 to u regards arti
Missed reading this one earlier....Humbling, heartwarming and mind awakening rousing us from our cozy worlds that we live in! ! I had written on a similar subject but have no hesistation in saying that yours is better! ! Love...TO
Preets, this is a heart-warming poem written with warmth and humility and containing a profound message. Beautiful work. love, Allie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
POIGNANT WRITE, PREETS...Profound delivery in every facet of literary principle A fine penning'''''''''''''''''''''FRANK
Thers so much 2 learn from such moments in life.Thank you for sharing one such moment of urs.Wonderful poem. Ashish.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/23/2024 1:39:17 PM # 1.0.0.1119
BRAVO.... Preeti, if you can do so much when 18 - I am sure you will make a difference to the world sometime in your future. This is a monumental piece for all of us here who read this but unable to do much for the less fortunate ones - you made that difference......... this world needs more people like you... who can make that teeny-weeny bit of difference to make this world a better place to live in. This poem is an awakening of its kind. NEVER STOP WRITING..... WE JUST LOVE TO READ YOU. (I wish they had options to vote more than 10) .