The cry of hunger

At night I hear their cries.
Sometimes by day as well they beg.
Whimpers, demands, supplications,
An endless hunger is what they know.
Padding softly on narrow frames, I wonder when they will disappear
Into the void from which they came.

Within there lies a heart, a soul, a wish to live and play.
Yet these hide within pure skin and bones, and soft eyes that beg without a sound;
My own eyes feel heavy, my heart cries.

Sometimes they will follow, asking their one question, all the way to my door.
If I feed them, they will return.
Perhaps not the next day, but the one after.
And the problem still remains,
The hunger devouring them inside.
What can I do?
Today there are many, tomorrow there will be more.
Only the kittens are unaware, saved by their playmates from the constant ache.
But soon they will grow.
And some would say these are only cats.
If they were dogs, would you feel the same?
And if they were people, starving on the streets?
Hunger is not a pleasant thing, and a solution is not an easy task.
From my window I see them, walking, begging, searching...
One day, may they find what they need.


***And may we all spay and neuter our pets!!! Countless lives can be saved in this way, for each animal merits shelter, food, and drink. A cold life on the street is not the answer. So if they're not going to breed, then just do the deed. Sounds harsh, but it saves lives.