After The War

She crept into the kitchen
where Frau Mueller had been cooking
the potato peel soup
with two little chicken necks
for the whole family
of refugees.
Quickly she lifted the lid
of the pot
blew on it
then licked off the scum
that had collected there
to still the hunger
searing in her stomach.

When the soup ready
all were called to the table
and Frau Mueller scraped
the scum once more
to add to the broth.

The little girl cowered
with shame
for having been so greedy.