Where is your compassion…and if you claim to have it, when does it connect to your actions<\/p>\n
You fooled me into believing I was born in a land overflowing with milk and honey,<\/p>\n
A land of plenty,<\/p>\n
your propaganda neglected to say that those who are impoverished or live in disadvantaged circumstances are not promised a place at the table,<\/p>\n
how is it that so few can have so much while so many have so little,<\/p>\n
must I crawl at your feet in hopes I may catch a crumb that escaped your plate,<\/p>\n
then pray you don’t snatch it from my quivering clutch and calm I didn’t earn it,<\/p>\n
When did having enough food to eat become a privilege?<\/p>\n
a privilege denied to me because of my economic status,<\/p>\n
do I not breathe as you do?<\/p>\n
are my bodily needs not as urgent,<\/p>\n
is the sound of my pulse too faint for you to care that my heart beats, proof that I am a living being in need,<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
where is your compassion…and if you claim to have it, when does it connect to your actions,<\/p>\n
What are you waiting for?<\/p>\n
must all of the produce in our grocery store be color coded by pesticides before you decide to act,<\/p>\n
Are your legs not tired yet? -because mine are burning from my weekly journey across this food desert; spending hours on bus and foot simply so I can cook dinner for the many mouths who depend on me….<\/p>\n
We all may not be starving….But we always seem to be hungry….<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Where is your compassion…and if you claim to have it, when does it connect to your actions….<\/p>\n
I know many view me as the victim,<\/p>\n
But I am whole,<\/p>\n
I am powerful,<\/p>\n
I was simply born with a brass spoon instead of one made of gold,<\/p>\n
still, its function is the same, to scoop contents onto my plate as I make space for myself at the table,<\/p>\n
I’m not asking for handouts,<\/p>\n
I’m demanding what is rightfully mine,<\/p>\n
My family and I are entitled to our health and that begins with the food we eat<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I demand the right to choose!<\/p>\n
I invite you to stand with me….<\/p>\n
Whether I’m given a seat no longer matters….<\/p>\n
I will stand,<\/p>\n
Spine erect,<\/p>\n
Raised voice,<\/p>\n
Never shaken gaze,<\/p>\n
Joined by my comrades; the fed up masses,<\/p>\n
And our combined desire and drive will insure the demise of this unjust food system,<\/p>\n
I am no longer asking for a place at your table…<\/p>\n
We will build a new table, where every seat is stable…..<\/p>\n