the spectrum of hunger

the child, eight, young girl

in a new pink outfit

sequined skirt

frilled shirt

beautiful luscious blond hair

shiny and soft to the touch

pale, delicate skin

bright pink lips and white crooked smile

holds her teddy bear

clutching its brown matted curls

"Mommy, I'm starving"

she whines drawing out the r sound

loudly exclaiming for all to hear

listening, a child next to her, a young boy

in tattered, ruffled clothes

mud stained blue pants

hole filled formerly white shirt

dark hair with hints of brown dirt at the tips

dusty to the touch

broad lanky shoulders and a

worn down face with 

dry white chapped lips

his skinny older face

covered with wrinkles and

aged too quickly

he stares blankly at the little girl

next to him

and softly utters

"me too."