Thoughts and Prayers
by Erin Hoffman
The port lies stripped and bare;
My friend famine lingers there.
Solitary by the sea,
nets hang torn; she leans on me.
UN flour sacks split at the seams,
white dust rising, choking dreams.
Her veil whips, biting bone.
Ribs stabbing, hunger shown.
Rebar knifing through debris,
she stands alone, next to me.
She won’t trade her brother for bread.
She will eat me instead.
I am Faith: I cannot feed.
I am roaring; you must see.
But all you send
thoughts and prayers.
Erin Hoffman is a writer and mother of four based in Omaha, Nebraska.
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