Soup Supper with Phil Steger

Twin Cities Friends Meeting House, Jan. 26, 2001

by Ilze Mueller, WAMM

Tall gangly Phil
scrubbed and clean
at the end of a ten-day fast
radiant because
the ten days stripped him
of all but joy
eats a banana
fills his bowl with soup
bites into crusty bread

One day of fasting
for each year of sanctions
against Iraq.
A fast is to show
something has gone
very wrong.
Children in hospital beds
so wasted with hunger
their limbs are like sticks.
Daily rations: lentils
a little rice, oil
a bit of sugar.

We sit at tables together
spread butter on slices of boule
spoon split peas, carrots
beans and rice, go for refills
Phil tells of the sick child
whose picture he took
and the mother who told the
interpreter
I don't want pictures
I want my son!

Here in Saint Paul
Phil's mother beams with pride
because he is bearing witness
and Brigid tells her
Blessed is the fruit
of your womb Phil!