I thought it was supposed to get easier
The deep hunger gnawing at my insides
I was supposed to get used to it
Yet my stomach feels like a bottomless cave

Empty
       Empty
And these lips are dry and chapped I'm made more painfully aware of the thirst as I speak

Drained of energy
Tired and restless
I slump to one side
As though I can't hold myself up

And everything is irritating
The heat
Engaging in polite conversation
Pretending not to feel or hear the gurgle and growl constant twinge

Or the just about bearable contractions
As my stomach squeezes in on itself
And hiccups shake my body
I deprive myself of water for the people who don't have a choice

Comforted and secure
As the delicious smell of rice wafts to my nose
And the juicy mango melon fruit salad gets prepared for the meal at dusk
I know it's mine to eat tonight

I will eat tonight
Though not everyone does
Not everyone is as lucky

So next time I walk past someone asking for charity
I will remember that I tried to put myself in their shoes
Everyone deserves food and water
I will eat less if it means they can eat too