Hunger Pains

What does real hunger look like? I think I saw it recently, while taking a walk on the Blue Heron Bridge. Yeah, that would be about where the fish come in on loaded boats, but don't seem to reach these people. Guys name is Tom. One day, I stopped and gave him some cheese crackers. It seemed right to feed someone that I knew was hungry. And then, I decided to try and teach someone else how to do it. So, you ask , where would you go? Tom is there most days. He is slouched over, still managing to sit upright on the city park bench. He looks like he is hanging on for dear life, that look of hopelessness in his baby blue eyes, and like he has been in the sun way too long, his hair appears dry and windblown. He wears a blue windbreaker and worn jeans. Then, you might say, what to bring? So, you check your cupboards and frig and look for something leftover, you know an entrée that you have had for two nights in a row, or that soup you made, and well, after a couple of times, you know that you do not want to eat it one more time. Or perhaps, it is a piece of chocolate cake, you know, you are saving that last bite, because it tastes so good, and you cooked it from scratch, and worked tirelessly in the kitchen. It is the cake your mother always made when you were growing up. She let you lick the bowl and you could not wait till it came out of the oven. You say, who would you feed? Then, you remember Tom. And you think to yourself that he would be happy to receive that slice of cake, though, hard it is to give it up. You muster up all your courage, and ask God to send you an angel, as you approach the bottom of the hill, on the Singer Island side, there he is. And he is not drunk; he is hungry. But, today, you make sure he eats. You see, a single mother cannot change the world, and knows that she cannot feed everyone, but she can feed one person at a time. And she believes in her heart that no one should go hungry. So, then you might ask, what do you say? You say, "what's your name?' He says, "Tom." You say, "I brought you some cake." He looks surprised and says thank you. He tells you that he is real hungry, then he reaches out his hand to receive your gift, and then he smiles and you will think it is his birthday. And you will never have to worry that you have given to the wrong person because the general consensus of Tom, Willy, Lewis and all the others who have occupied the bench, or walked the bridge day in and day out, is that they are all hungry. And be prepared when they ask you "Does everyone do this?" Because they will want to know why you stopped to feed them, but the rest went right on by.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress