We rise from bed to bathe and dress
While others wake to face another day of misery. No less Sitting down we break our fast.
Toast, eggs, bacon. Coffee last. While others grub around their feet.
Might find something fit to eat.
A mother feeds her baby rusks in warm fresh milk. Lovely grub While other mothers squeeze a sagging breast A hungry baby sucks.
But there's nothing left Off we go. Fit and fed. Mother has a busy day ahead.
Hairdo, shopping. Must remember the bread Wholemeal would be best What else? Oh yes. Steak. Leg of Lamb.
Half a pound of butter. A large tub of cream and a jar of strawberry jam.
Must not forget the jumbo packet of crisps for Sam And a large chocolate gateau for tea
While others lie in the sun. No food No strength. No hope. So nothing is done We care. So we say. Yet they starve.
While we get fatter day by day.
Yet around the world there are tons of food to spare And Silo’s full of surplus grain Is it kept for a rainy day?
Are we over cautious Thinking we might need it ourselves one day Or to force up its price as the number of hungry people rise So it is stacked away But.
When its ‘use by date’ expires will it end up in a furnace fire Or used as cattle feed. And good prime meat cooked and tinned for pampered pets to eat?


But that surplus food is urgently needed right now By those who are just skin and bone with empty bowls and empty breasts Do they starve and face an early death?


D W Johnson, Shirley Road, Sidcup