Hillol Ray

HUNGER AND POVERTY: A UNIVERSAL SHAME

In spite of productivity, gnawing pain of hunger and poverty still vitiates the Earth –
Followed by deadly diseases, caused by malnutrition from the moment of critical birth!
Today, 3 billion human beings suffer dehumanizing conditions of poverty with despair –
And their yawning cries out for sustainable world in the utter hopes of an equitable share!

Hunger and poverty are closely linked, and are always moving hand in hand –
From the dawn of civilization till today, along each crevice of this global land!
Hunger perpetrates poverty by preventing people from realizing their potential power –
And slows down the progress of their societies ruled by the elite from the ivory tower!

To achieve peace and progress in the 21st century, an ambitious agenda needs to be set –
About lifting people out of poverty, while guarding from violence, before it’s too late!
Hunger makes the people more vulnerable to diseases, or leaves them weak for sure –
And reduces the ability to provide for their dependents, buried by the pain they endure!

The devastating cycle of hunger repeats from generation to generation, and takes the toll –
While subsistence farmers of the developing world walk often with a begging bowl!
So, we must improve their standards of living, income, and quantity of available food –
And offer knowledge to grow resistance crops, and ensure their cattle’s safety for good!

Relationship between human society and environment is the core of concern in my mind –
And we need to pave the path for all peoples, and lay down the rules to put us in bind!
Improving the standards of living while protecting environment of today and tomorrow –
Is the priority, I feel, to eradicate the global hunger and poverty with a wrenching sorrow!

The fights against hunger depend on sustainable management of the ecosystems around –
Because the production of food is based on the natural resources as everywhere found!
With global population explosion, pressure on the environment will continue to mount –
And I am sure about the challenge in the coming years, and every drop of rain will count!

I feel an urging sense of the values that underpin the concept of instigating actions now –
And convey to the leaders to make them implement their action plans and show us how!
A practical expression to the plan of implementation is a crying need of the hour –
To demonstrate the moves from words to actions before the delay turns into sour!

It has become a truism that the governments cannot do the job alone and it’s the fact –
But there’s a great deal that they can do and must accomplish, and only they can act!
It is governments that set national policies and establish incentives and laws –
And they must deliver on the promises they make without any flaws!

For humanity, may I appeal to the NGOs [1] with formidable expertise and deep knowledge –
Followed by their skills in organizing people, and unflagging energy to provide an edge!
Sustainable development will remain a distant dream without the aid from private sector –
While cycle of hunger and poverty will move on like a plane without radar for a vector!

My bittersweet feelings for fight against hunger prefer to reach a decisive moment now –
For the global sufferers, who are eager to live on this planet without an empty vow!
I understand the hurdles, but embrace them as personal priorities to wipe out the tears –
While challenge before us will be to match aspiration with action for the coming years!

We must sustain the momentum now to let the global leaders know it well –
That fighting hunger makes economic and social sense, where our future will dwell!
So, let’s spare no efforts to free all humanity from hunger, for tomorrow and today –
And forge on the intricate issues of health and environment that my soul longs to say!

From plights of global hunger and poverty, my heart now cries alone in moonlit nights –
But my daring pen is dauntless today, and protests the global violation of human rights!
In the waves of time, I do not want to be remembered for anything so far I have done –
While my efforts to unearth worthwhile causes through words will bring hopes and fun!

No doubt, hunger and poverty are worst violations of our dignity and a universal shame –
While in a world of plenty, the developed nations are making promises to play the game!
Well, it’s time to reaffirm and act to eradicate hunger and poverty from the face of Earth –
And replenish the vitality of impoverished humanity, and allow them to sink in the mirth!

©Copyright July 14, 2002 by Hillol Ray