At What Cost

He grew up in a family wanting

at times with little food on the table

and often bedtime came on empty stomachs

His mother cleaning and ironing for others

his father seldom awake as he worked nights

together they barely kept a roof over their heads

Growing up, he was mostly on his own

making his way through life during the week

the kids in this neighborhood were raising themselves

He and his friends did what they could

In order to chase away the hunger they felt

To give each other a feeling of togetherness

To help each other survive life without parents

It was the worst of times

Sunday would then arrive

an actual meal would somehow be found on the table

the family was together

The bed would not find him hungry this night

not for bread

nor the love of family

Mom making sure there was enough in his belly

Dads laughter filling his heart

lifting his spirit and bringing smiles to all their faces

This was the best of times

As he grew he vowed to escape this life

never to have that empty feeling of want again

to do whatever it took, no matter the cost

His times were about to change

Once he moved on

he found that there was no-one willing to help him

he was again on his own

He learned to not only step over others

but to step on them in his attempt

to escape the past

He learned well, moved on

and left not only the old neighborhood

but his friends and family behind as well

The work seemed endless

there was no time anything else in his new life

but there was no want

The toys came

the food extravagant

but another yearning

another hunger

entered him

He wanted more

Yes his belly was full

but he was alone on Sundays now

Where was his fathers laughter

Where did the smiles and lifted spirits disappear to

How did this emptiness return

Maybe those days long ago

were not the worst of times

after all