Hunger

My name was John,

I used to be proud.

I wore my pride like a badge.

I had so much,

I now have so little.

I work,

but my arms are weights,

my legs grow heavy,

I'm hungry.

I scream,

the pain pushes outward...

growling, growing, gnawing.

My stomach churns,

I CURSE, I CRY, I SCREAM

I move forward but I fall backward.

I strive for more and settle for less.

Someone calls me lazy,

and my eyes water at the slur.

Someone calls me crazy...

for calling this box home,

but it's all I can call my own.

I'M HUNGRY...

I'M HUNGRY,

I'm dying

My eyes touch yours

Do you understand, can you understand

I'm not asking for pity, only a hand

I'm hungry, alone and worn.

I've no money, no home,

No place where I belong.

I work at a car wash,

when I'm not sick,

if it doesn't rain,

when I can stand the pain

I can't afford to pay rent.

You can't trust a shelter and I'm so afraid

I'll wake up dead and alone.

Can't you understand

I saw my dignity slip, like sand,

through my hands.

I'm crying, I'm dying

and I'm not the only one.

My name was John

but you can call me brother.