Hunger

KK

I have seen people hungry
for love, life, power
and achievement…

I have seen people hungry
for variety of books to devour
and for plethora of pens to write…

I have seen people hungry
to see someone laughing
and flowers blooming…

I have also seen people hungry
to show empathy sympathy
and compassion…

I have seen people hungry
for their selfless devotion
and commitment…

Hunger is the eternal truth of life,
everyone feels it,
rich, poor, capable, incapable
young, child or old,
it lasts as long as life lasts,
only the type varies…

But I’ve also seen people hungry
for food,
their only source for survival,
who don’t know the meaning
of all the above aspects,
but they do know
what hunger actually means…

They don’t know what calories are,
but they do know
that not only the brain,
but other parts of the body
send unusual sensations
that their stomach is empty,
hunger makes them
completely different persons…

There is no truer love or religion
than the love and religion of food,
hunger needs anything edible, 
it needs one Annapurna,
the giver of food…

P.S. I know what the pangs of hunger are. When I was single, I had to go without food for two and a half days, as the city was under curfew, because of the assassination of the then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi.


–Kaushal Kishore

images: pinterest

60 Comments

    1. You’re absolutely right, Pat! Thank you! Maslow had also stated in hierarchy of needs theory that only after physiological needs are fulfilled, people go for safety, esteem and other higher needs.

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      2. When I studied his pyramid it was stated that in some humans, at the intersection of self-actualization and the divine, this need will actually supercede all the others, even the most basic.

        I’ve always existed very close to that intersection. In life we’re called crazy ~ after death, saints. That’s unless our current disinformation and discrediting campaigns during life prevent the latter.

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      3. Thank you for your response. You’re right, in some humans like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa, it applies, but if you co-relate with that intersection, it’s certainly a big thing, and I truly appreciate.

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      4. It’s only that food and shelter and even a “good name” or conventional recognition have never mattered to me as much as my own integrity. In a world like ours we get too many opportunities to make that choice ~ and I know many have both gone to their deaths and lived lives of quiet sacrifice behind it, unremembered and unsung.

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  7. Thank you, Kaushal, for stirring our minds with interesting and illuminating ideas.
    Yet, all over the world people voluntarily fast for religious reasons.
    Are we ever eradicate the hungry poor?

    Joanna

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    1. Thank you, Joanna for your kind comment. Fasting or intermittent fasting is one on our own volition for the purpose of health or faith, but going without food under compulsion is bad, and needs to be eradicated. A small step by all concerned, who are in the category of givers by the grace of God, will show the right path.

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  10. Deeply moving and spiritual! Can it be that hunger (excluding food for eating) instructs in the many Different levels of gratitude once one has had a particular hunger satsfied? Marvelous piece, Kaushal. Thank you for sharing your personal experience.
    Perfect linkage to “Annapurna” and “everlasting food.” Namaste!

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    1. You have raised a valid point that has been explained by Abraham Maslow in his motivational theory of hierarchy of needs. As regards Annapurna, we worship her as the Goddess of food. Thank you, Suzette for sharing such a wonderful reflection. Namaste 🙏💐

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  12. Wow KK, what a moving piece. Every stanza got better and better and the way you tied everything together at the end was just amazingly done. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again 😊, you are so insanely talented in the way you write about heavy topics in such a meaningful and gentle way – so inspiring to me 🤍🤍

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    1. I’m humbled and honoured, Grace! Your generous comment made me blush a little. I simply put what I feel in open verses, with no rhyme or rhythm. It’s so simple. Thank you for your sweet comment that I cherish and treasure 😊💖

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  15. Through God’s good graces I have never felt the real gnawing pangs of hunger – only little snippets when my meal was late for whatever reason. Once I had children, I never returned to the work force. After they started school, I found I had some time on my hands and decided to look for part-time work. There was an advertisement for help needed in a soup kitchen in a nearby town. I went there thinking the ad was for a paying job but it was for volunteer work. I looked around at the people waiting in line for food; some looked as though they hadn’t eaten in days. I decided right then that it was time for me to give back for all the blessings in my life. What I thought would be a job for a few months, perhaps a year, lasted 8 years. I cooked, I served food and sometimes I just sat down and talked with the people who came in looking for a meal and a little companionship. I think back on those years at the soup kitchen as time well spent. I’m very glad I answered that ad.

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    1. It was the hunger to be recognized as a person which to me was the worst of all ~ and it’s expensive to eat when one is homeless, and even raising a healthy child on food stamps involves a continual choice to feed that child first, which I always did, so any money one has will run out before the next income and hunger is far from unknown to me. But the hunger you fed when you just met their eyes and passed the time of day was just as important. Good for you.

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      3. I resonate with your words, Ana and appreciate your kindness! As regards Nancy, I have already written separately to her. Thanks a lot.

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    2. This comment is very very special for me, and close to my heart. I have no words how to express my feelings. You acted like Goddess Annapurna for eight long years. Your selfless service for welfare of the most needy people has multiplied my respect for you, Nancy. I’m honoured to connect with you. Thanks so much for sharing the most beautiful reflections that I have ever received on this platform. Thanks again! Much much appreciated 🙏💐

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  16. I once went nine days, homeless and broke. Too much of a poet to steal and too proud or weak to beg. Spent it under a bush, upon which on that ninth morning grew three Heavenly Blue morning glories, which I ate. When I went to fill my water container someone handed me three big skewers of barbequed meat. It gave me the strength to walk on back into life.

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    1. I’m sorry to know about your plight, Ana, but I salute your patience and perseverance that you came out of that. Of course, God extends helping hand to needy, though belatedly. It needs courage to accept and write such things. My sincere regards to you 🙏💐

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  17. This is a masterful piece of writing KK.You carry us along with the lighter aspects of hunger and then come to the main, grim truth of hunger for food. So many in the world, for many reasons, are experiencing hunger for food now.

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    1. You’re right, Anne, hunger affects around 800 million or 10% of people globally, even in this so-called advanced era of human civilization. Thank you so much. I’m glad you find it of some value.

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      1. I think the actual figure is much higher ~ but it’s not thirty percent, which is the amount of the planet’s annual harvests which are wasted. All we’d have to do is care. And grow a garden, if we’ve got the opportunity. It’s that time, to remember that Mama Earth will directly provide if we let her!

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      2. You’re right, the officially reported numbers are usually less. Your thoughts on the issue are crystal clear. Thank you!

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    1. In most of my writings, there is some sort of personal tinge. I draw inspiration from there and expand it. Thank you, Dawn, for your kind words and support 😊💖💖

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