Hands for the Hungry



On this very day in nineteen eighty-six

Seven million Americans joined in it ...

Holding hands in an enormous line

All the way across the countryside fine



To bring media attention to the plight  

Of the hungry and homeless who fight

The rest of us for their own little space

Their piece of the rock, their own grace



So many do - in cities, and in the "burbs"

Looking for food and clothes at the curbs

Some become so defeated in their quest

They give it up, and jump to their deaths



As a lady did last night with her four kids

Sitting on a railway track till she was hit

Killing her and three of the small ones ...

(The remaining one's guarded - numbed)



Leaving us with the distinct impression

Holding hands all the way across the nation

Hasn't really done enough to help the poor

For so many are still disaffected, for sure



There needs to be a better way to fix ...

The problems in our midsts, which trick

Us into believing everything's just peachy

Because the job market's grown so completely ...



That factor alone does not at all tell the tale

For there are still some who're in their own jails ...

And cannot see their way out of the mire

And it's these folks who need to hold hands ... 

                                              around a fire ...



- Tristram



©  Christopher W. Thomas

8:45pm Tues. May 25th, 1999