My Hunger

This week’s poem comes from Matthew McGugan, who introduces himself this way: “My name is Matthew McGugan, 23 years old, and a resident of Orangeville, Ontario. I am a non-speaking Autistic and I use a letter board to communicate with the help of a communication partner. My mother and my academic tutor, Ms. Anne, assist in all of my educational needs. I am a poet and I would like to be an accomplished writer. I have been published several times in our local newspaper.”

My Hunger 


My hunger is

A sieve

A hawk

A Spring

An old barn

Night time 

When everything 

Is coming

to a close.


Interestingly enough,

I crave 

For love 

And attention

And it materializes 

as hunger.


My hunger sees

Opportunity  

To be fed 

I grabbed someone’s arm 

An action seen as aggression.


My hunger is heard 

Like a growl 

And a nuisance

A loud mantra

Of expression 

That can be deafening. 


How can I convey my laments?

Hunger.