Years Later
By Arlene Ang

She says
you don't know
what hunger is

and recounts
for how she survived
the earthquake.

She swears
she was trapped for weeks
under rubble with her newborn,

how she ate bathroom tissue,
suckled her baby from pricked
fingertips when milk ran out.

She says
that's what hunger is:
not knowing if you have blood enough.

Arlene Ang lives in Venice, Italy where she edits the Italian Niederngasse (www.niederngasse.com). Her poetry has recently appeared in KotaPress Journal, sidereality, Scrivener's Pen, Poet's Canvas and three candles. Recent awards include: Absinthe Literary Review 2002 Eros & Thanatos Prize Winner and Clean Sheets 2003 Poetry Contest 2nd Place Winner.