Please

Written by: Shreya Venkatachalam, 14

Texas, USA

Stubby nails claw at my throat,

Scratch at the growing emptiness

Inside me.

My toes curl against the rough dirt under me,

The barren dirt.

Chapped lips whisper out another silent moan,

A plea

To placate my parched mouth.

I whimper for something,

Anything.

Leftover scraps,

Dirty drops of water,

Anything.

But the growl of hunger

That embarrassingly escapes me,

Drowns my

Prayers.

My head bows down in

Defeat,

Noticing the worn out rags

Do little to cover the

Protruding ribs

And scaly skin.

Why?

Why me?

Why can I not taste the ambrosia of

Water again?

Why can I not relish the warmth of a

Full meal?

Please,

Please tell me,

Why me?