Story of Poverty

Story of Poverty

His back is bent as though he stooped all his life. His eyes are dull and staring yet never seem to see. His “Bugs Bunny” teeth yellowed and his tattered shirt complement his torn “porontong”. His strides are often heavy - and time and again, he forages at garbage cans. Only then would there be glow in his eyes when if by chance, he would scavenge some yet edible foods. If only he could speak, he could have cried “hallelujah!” But each time he opens his mouth to speak, no words come out. Instead, he salivates..

Her clothes are tattered. She sleeps on the sidewalk, unmindful of passers by. Beside her are two undressed kids, aged somewhere between one to three years old. One whimpers, and occasionally sucks his thumb to appease his hunger. The other stretches out her hand for alms. While the mother is lost in her own world, her children attempts survival.

They are unsightly scenes. They stink.

Faces of poverty. Glimpses of desperation…How many more of them don’t we see -they who endure in silence and remorseful acceptance? How many more of them hide their distress in pain- they who wished the world was kinder.

Yet, look at how the few rich and powerful squander the nation’s wealth… Look at how millions and billions of money are deceitfully stashed in their pockets – while the poor deprives himself of pride as he begs mercy for a day’s meal… Look at how promises are publicly declared, yet never get to be realized because of greedy and unfeeling leaders, catapulted to power by sham and treachery.

It’s a shame that our leaders boast of statistics of economic recovery – but what is seen by the eyes shows otherwise. Every deceitful smile of the rich and greedy squeezes out the blood of life in every impoverished citizen.

They are appalling beyond words. They horribly stink!

jomorales