Beyond The Meal

By: Christin Hernandez

Upon the tides of a distressed soul

A boy adrift, a tale untold

They see him eat, ease they find,

But hunger’s cue is just a blind

With brittle nails and yellow skin

It was more than to be thin.

A snack, a treat, they loved to see,

Yet Deep inside felt still not free.

“He’s back!” they cried and claim.

The flame of compassion to be tame

In consuming’s act, they filled with glee.

To mend the soul was not the key.

A smile forced for the part.

When deep inside a shattering heart.

In the void far from pleased

To shut the cries, make them cease.

“He’s better now” reflected in the air.

It seemed to him like they never seem to care.

As emptiness lingered throughout the night

“Where was the tunnel with the light.”

“Why must they see it through this lens,

Nourished flesh is the cleanse.

Underneath a war lives on

A battle fierce, a hope long gone.”

They went away happy, assured,

That there he was well and cured.

Yet deep inside, his spirit cried.

For the support had gone aside.

The weight of expectations bore.

He wanted love and nothing more.

Beyond the food, a heart to heal,

But the worry limited to the meal.

For eating is not the cure to the core

It requires much support and many more.

With love and empathy towards the race,

Stand beside the pain they face.

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