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I watched as you poured the rest of your soup into the already full garbage. It slopped off the top. One noodle plopped; like a squashed worm in the rain for four days. Soup juice trickled on the side of the can but only made it halfway down before it expired into permanent suspension. I was so hungry. You couldn’t have known that I hadn’t eaten in ninety-six hours.
You spotted me from behind your car when I opened up the pizza box that was left on the picnic table. You knew I was hoping to come across a prize. A slice would be nice but I’ll settle for a couple of pieces of crust, maybe some small green pepper chunks, the cheese glued to the inside. I couldn’t figure out in my mind what you were smiling about as I folded up the box and stuck it under my arm. Maybe I reminded you of a funny joke you once knew. I did look around and tried to smile at you as I made my way to the trail but you were gone, Beamer and all.
I thank you for the frozen loaf of bread you gave me anyway in spite of the soup kitchen being closed for the summer. I was surprised that the two people who told me about this place hadn’t mentioned that part. It unthawed pretty quickly in the scorching afternoon. I took it to the creek in order to complete my meal and ended up struggling to finish my third big bite.
“Look!” I exclaimed to myself. “Someone dropped their candy.” It appeared to still have all its sugar coating the sweet soft center.
I came upon the raspberries by accident. There were two dozen bushes of the purpling bombs. I could see the army below; busily getting ready for gravity’s fleshy explosions. Sorry soldier, I’m higher up the chain. On my second trip I noticed that half the battalion was out on scouting missions. I ate the last one on my fourth feed. There was only one around and he was carrying part of another insect’s leg; incisors above helmet.
She knew I was hungry and gave me her half jar of peanut butter. I only really wanted the two slices of bread I asked her for. I thanked her but wanted to hug her and kiss her cheek. I had to quickly go so I could find my place to cry.
This time I couldn't avoid walking by a restaurant patio. I’ll just stare at the sidewalk moving below my feet. I was floating by until it shrieked. Then, two tables full of hyenas. One of the scavengers’ howling mouth was filled with red and yellow. It was a hot dog eater and she looked at ME with a startled gaze, and then, whispering to the pack while pretending to be just wiping mustard with a napkin, she spit her food towards me. Roarings but then the laughter ceased harmoniously. Ten pairs of eyes burned through me. A quarter block away, her French fry fork a conductor’s stick, the scarlet lipped beast initiated another eerie chorus; without peering back I knew it was another song for me.