Tags
compassion, despair, desperation, destiny, dreams, emotion, empathy, empowerment, eternal, fear, loneliness, longing, loss, loving kindness, mankind, philosophy, unconditional love, universe, world
I sit on the sidewalk,
my upturned hat
in front of me,
hoping for spare change.
I’m forty years old.
I look older
because of the beard.
I’ve been on the streets
for twenty-two years.
I sleep on the sidewalk.
The sun is blinding.
My throat is parched.
I’m vaguely aware
of people walking past.
I feel disoriented,
light-headed.
I can’t remember
when I last ate.
I can’t remember
much of anything.
My life is a blur.
Occasionally,
someone will throw
a quarter
in my direction.
Some jerk just said,
“Get a job!”
“Hire me!” I said.
That’s a joke!
Most people
won’t look at me,
let alone employ me.
If I sit here long enough
the cops may run me in.
At least, I’ll get to eat.
I’ll be safe
for one night.
.
Thank you, this is so very important.
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Hi Gator Woman, this poem was based on stories told to me by my homeless friends. I agree, it is important to view life from a different perspective; looking up from the sidewalk. These people are just like us, they desire happiness and freedom from suffering.
Cheers,
Dennis
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Thanks Melanie, sad stories indeed. Thankfully, there are mostly smiles and laughter. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis, you did touch my heart… I did hesitate to click on “like”…
unfortunately, this image is not an exception to the rule… you’ll see more and more, every day in our rich and “so-called” civilized countries… The world could be a better place(conditional sentence!), but the present does prove the opposite…
My very best and friendly hugs, Mélanie
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Thanks Melanie, this wasn’t written from personal experience, but from sitting with many of my friends who are homeless and panhandling. They have fantastic stories to tell. One can’t be a good panhandler without being a good storyteller. There are also many tales of abuse while in the womb, as babies, children and adults; being abandoned; fetal alcohol syndrome; drug dependency… the list goes on. It breaks my heart.
My very best and friendly hugs, Dennis
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Hi Dennis! I did understand that it wasn’t your personal experience… sad stories, indeed! Poor kids, teenagers or adults who did not ask to come to life…
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Thank you so much Tanumoy.
If we each to one good deed, to one person at a time, every day, the world will be a better place. We can be the change that makes a difference.
Cheers,
Dennis
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“There is a lot that happens around the world we cannot control. We cannot stop earthquakes, we cannot prevent droughts, and we cannot prevent all conflict, but when we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist, then we can help.”
(Jan Schakowsky)
This is a beautiful piece, written with vivid imagery and sinless insight.
“My life is a blur.” – Touched, sir. Really touched.
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