(His mother was in another room when this happened, but entered shortly after)

"I'm HUNGRY!"  he roared, and he kicked the wall hard -- 
His face was transformed by his rage!
Such fury, contained in a package so small --
a natty-haired boy, only 5 years of age.

How could I have known he'd not eaten that day,
though the afternoon plodded along;
(my lunch had been tasty, enjoyed long before)
I tried to correct him and show him his wrong

My teaching fell flat when his mother appeared;
my words fled in compassionate sighs;
As she laid out the depth of their neediness,
the glare of their poverty opened my eyes. 

I'll never forget that little guy's anger,
as his mother explained their sad state.
He couldn't understand why their table was bare;
He only knew that his hunger was great

Please God, reach down and love others through me,
and give me discernment for every day,
so I can do something to make their lives bright
and help them to see You along their way.

"I was hungry, and ye gave me food; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in..........Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  
                  (Matthew 25:35 & 40b)