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homeless man
by Barbara GriffithEach time I walk the streets
of my only known home town
I want to keep my head down
as I walk past the homeless men.
The only catch
(in this world of exceptions to the rule)
is that I can't.
What if
- I ask myself -
What if I make eye contact
one of these days
and it's him?
Sad and lonely,
52 years old
holding his week old,
Tim Hortons paper cup
full of change
that we all know will be spent on a cheap bottle
of R&R.
And we'll stop.
Both of us will stop.
His mouth half open with the request for quarters
And my eyes wide with recognition.
Such a glorious reunion.
And still I can't stop myself
from looking closely
at each and every homeless man.
02/12/2008 Posted on 02/12/2008
Copyright © 2024 Barbara Griffith
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 02/13/08 at 02:53 AM It must be difficult for you I've seen the homeless in NYC and Philadelphia, Myrtle Beach SC, and it always affects me the same way. Some of them really need help and others prefer living the way they do. They may not be "normal" whatever that means but I am not the one to judge them. Great write! |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 02/13/08 at 04:39 AM Powerful stuff, though I wonder if you even need to say the father/daughter bit. I definitely made that connection before I got that line. But I'm just being nit-picky. I really liked this. |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 02/13/08 at 03:32 PM ...the pathos toward a homeless man/woman etc. is daunting enough but your lil' capture of those moments wondering??? are angst-laden, eh?...i pass them everyday on the street and wonder if my heart is hardened more by each day's passing, wonderful write, peace, chaz |
| Posted by Trisha De Gracia on 02/14/08 at 06:05 AM I never even thought of that before. I guess it's been so long since you've talked to him. This is really well done. |
| Posted by Wendy Sparling on 02/16/08 at 05:58 PM I cannot help but feel the tragic loss in your words. I often wonder if I know the person sitting on the sidewalk, because their hard life changes their facial expression. Life can be hard and cruel. Great write! |
| Posted by Trisha De Gracia on 03/06/08 at 03:23 PM Congrats!!! Rock out that POTD :) |
| Posted by Wendy Sparling on 03/06/08 at 08:46 PM Congrats on your POTD, Barbara. |
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