Jessie

Published on by thelonelyauthorblog

Normally, I try to post a poem on Thursday, however due to the holiday, I will post one today.

 

Jessie

They buried Jessie’s older brother today

he just finished turning five

she never had a toy, tv, or internet

yet she’s grateful to be alive

her brother taught her one through ten

by counting her fragile ribs

now she smiles when her stomach growls

as Mama feeds the newborn in the crib

Jessie runs barefoot down a dirt road

in a tattered dress of white

with baby fed, Mama has only one concern

will Jessie eat tonight

According to the United Nations World Food Programme statistics, approximately 3.1 million children under the age of five die each year from hunger or poor nutrition.

Jessie

163 thoughts on “Jessie”

  3. Sad but unfortunately true poem……some of us live in abundance and others not so fortunate find “Thanksgiving” a day to just be happy to be alive much less well fed. But we do what we can to help…….we’d want someone to do that for us after all.

    Pam and Sam

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  13. This hurts. Thank you for reminding us that not everyone will be more stuffed than the Turkey on Thursday. Last weekend worked with a non-profit filling boxes of food they passed out for people who couldn’t otherwise afford a Thanksgiving. Again – thank you.

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  17. This breaks my heart. So desperately sad and unfortunately all too true and real. The littlest of us all need the most care and protection. As a parent this pulls at me so deeply. Beautifully written and absolutely perfect to remind us all of the bounty in our own lives. What we have to be thankful for. Oh so much.

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    1. David, so sad and true. When will nations turn their FULL attention to the needs of the world? We have enough weapons to destroy the several times. Isn’t that enough? Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Have a week full of blessings.

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  19. I was going to say, it makes First World problems seem so petty, but then I thought, there are people who desperately need our help even here in the land of plenty. We need to keep this feeling of generosity and gratitude going all year round!

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    1. Aw, thanks you for contributing such thoughtful comments to this post. Also, thank you for stopping by to read. I appreciate it. Your Anxiety Chronicles will be a must read blog for me. Thanks for the follow. May you and your have a blessed week.

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  28. These two lines encapsulates the poem quite clearly and poignantly to bring the issue of poverty to the forefront: her brother taught her one through ten by counting her fragile ribs. It is sickening if you saw the food being thrown away in richer countries and they could easily give them seeds where food can be grown in their country if feasible and build them a facility to give them clean water. I wonder if it was mandatory for politicians to live in those conditions for 6 months whether or not help would come to end famine. Be well my friend.

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    1. Love your suggestions. I always said if politicians had to send their children off to war would there be as many wars? Your idea is even better. Thanks for contributing your thoughtful words to this post. Blessings for you and yours.

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        1. I did it successfully? Wow. I will be going through your blog. I don’t like blogs being on different platforms, I wonder how many great writers I am missing out on tumblr and others. Thanks for stopping by. It gave me a chance to find your blog.

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  30. Such a heart-wrenching piece, Andrew, but clearly apt for what is happening in many regions of the world. These things we see all over the media, day in and day out, however, what is perhaps most compelling about your poem, is the begged question: how bad is it on the home front? I imagine thousands go hungry every day in our industrial world. Poverty leads to hunger and malnutrition in the house next door, and oft’ times, we don’t even know it’s happening. Thanks for sharing this stark and thought-provoking piece.

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    1. Thank you for contributing your thoughtful comments to the post. Yes, many children in industrial nations go to bed hungry. Such a sad statement of the world we live in. Thanks for stopping by to read. Appreciate that. A thousand blessing to you and yours.

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      1. You are welcome, Andrew…It’s always a pleasure to read your work and this one has given me opportunity to put together a list of families I will anonymously donate food to this year…really appreciate your posting this…sending you and yours well-wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving week đŸ™‚

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  31. During this holiday season where we are reminded to give thanks, I’m hoping we actually follow through with this act by providing a service, a product or just a shoulder for someone in need. I’ve always said, the best way to receive in this world is to GIVE. Be safe, be healthy, be happy this holiday season.

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    1. In past years I worked in past years I volunteered to work in soup kitchens or in churches helping to feed the poor and homeless. This year I made a donation, since my health will not permit. Have a healthy and happy holidays my friend.

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  32. Very, very moving and graphic. I’ve put this onto my Facebook page (UK). You’ve struck the right chords to raise awareness of the plight of many.
    Thank you.
    Roger

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  35. Deep and powerful message at just the right time! Many Americans over-indulge during Thanksgiving and to each their own, however we should really take a moment to be extra thankful for the extra food we have and open our hearts to reach to those in need.

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    1. Thank you for your thoughtful message. Kids are dying from hunger everyday and while other people are throwing away food. How sad is this? I am thankful for everything, the good and the bad. Thanks for reading. Blessings to you and your loved ones.

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  36. This was so Heart touching, we all are very much aware of the present issues but many of us will look at this including me, feel sad about it and then get back with our works. Not that we do not wanna help, we do not know how to, we might volunteer at United nations but will that feed our family? This is sad and not being able to contribute is pathetic.Just saying, you always have amazing posts,Like your blog. Best wishes and regards.

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    1. Sadly, everything you said is so true. We could volunteer, but that will not feed our families. I hope we can see an end to world hunger in our lifetime. Thank for contributing your thoughtful comments to this post. As always, I appreciate your visits.

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  43. I read your poem this morning and shared it with my daughter. From there I witnessed the rare & true impacting magic of the written word, yours. Afterschool, like a little woman on a mission, the piggy bank was raided. Toys and clothes selected, bundled and donated. I did nothing, except drive and okayed the emptying of tinned food from our cupboard. The rest orchestrated by an 11 yo motivated from your poem. So, thank you for the magic of your words.

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    1. I don’t even know what to say. Thank you for contributing these amazing comments to the post. My intention was never to spur anyone to action, but I did hope to remind everyone why we need to be grateful. Your actions touch me so deeply. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart I wish the holiday season brings a million blessing to you and yours.

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    1. Thanks for reading this. I just realized you don’t have an ABOUT page. I didn’t know if I should be wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, too. So, I will say the following. Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it. And I wish a week of blessings for you and yours.

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      1. There is an About page inserted into : “My Space in the Immense Universe” head photo,which says : It’s a Small VAST World-Plato= Π= 3,14159…
        Thanks anyhow for your warm wishes,my friend!Once again,Have a Happy Thanksgiving Filled with Blessings and Joy đŸ™‚

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  49. A loud and clear reminder of being content and thankful for what we have. Your poignant lines are skillfully matched up to a strong and awakening picture.

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    1. Thanks for saying that. Dajena, I have been through good times and rock bottom, but during each period, I was always grateful. Thanks for reading my dear. As always, your two cents are so valuable to me. Any compliment coming from someone who writes as beautifully as you means so much.

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  50. What a touching message. In many first world countries, we lose sight of some of the things that we should be thankful for, but that we take for granted instead. Beautiful poem.

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