A Poem to Observe Stamp Out Hunger Day

In recognition of Stamp Out Hunger Day on May 14, 2016, an annual one-day collection of non-perishable food items by the National Association of Letter Carriers, we are featuring the poem "Hunger" by Emily Elizabeth Dickinson. Be sure to leave some non-perishable items by your mailbox for your letter carrier. Every little bit helps! www.nalc.org

Hunger
By Emily Elizabeth Dickinson

    I had been hungry all the years;
    My noon had come, to dine;
    I, trembling, drew the table near,
    And touched the curious wine.

    'T was this on tables I had seen,
    When turning, hungry, lone,
    I looked in windows, for the wealth
    I could not hope to own.

    I did not know the ample bread,
    'T was so unlike the crumb
    The birds and I had often shared
    In Nature's dining-room.

    The plenty hurt me, 't was so new, --
    Myself felt ill and odd,
    As berry of a mountain bush
    Transplanted to the road.

    Nor was I hungry; so I found
    That hunger was a way
    Of persons outside windows,
    The entering takes away.

* This poem is in public domain.

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