Tags
compassion, despair, desperation, emotion, empathy, fear, loneliness, longing, loving kindness, mankind, personal, philosophy, spiritual, unconditional love, universe, world
.
Before I open my eyes
I’m aware of a dull roar;
air brakes hissing,
cars honking,
the sound of high heels
on concrete.
It must be morning.
The cold
is unbearable.
I found some cardboard
to insulate me
from the sidewalk
but, my sleeping bag is thin.
There was freezing rain
last night.
I couldn’t sleep
for shivering.
It’s starting to snow.
I can’t feel my feet.
Sometimes, I think
it would be better
if I didn’t wake up,
but, here I am.
.
Dennis Cardiff 
Hi Dennis, Read your poetries for the first time! They are so wonderful and depicts all emotions so well! I also came across COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL through one of your posts and i am interested to explore more about it 🙂 thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for your kind words. I loved your post “5 THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY VISIT TO AN OLD AGE HOME” and your quote “People don’t need gifts or money, they need your time”. I find this to be very true.
Blessings,
Dennis
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terrific prose! VERY real!
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Thanks Debbie, I always appreciate your comments.
Cheers,
Dennis
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Hi Dennis, I know how brutal Canadian winters can be…-40 degrees with snow piled up to your waist… I carry around toonies and loonies to give them when I see them, which seems such an insignificant amount, but I know every little bit helps. Your writing cuts down to the very core of their reality in such a way that it is impossible to ignore.
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Hi Cubby, every little bit does help. The fact that you are considerate enough to help makes a big difference. Even if you have nothing, acknowledgement and a smile are much appreciated.
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There’s a charming sadness in your poetry, sir… one that reaches the unknown corners of the soul. And you want it to stay there… not let it go.
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Thanks Tanumoy,
The sadness you hear is my reaction to real events. I can’t do very much, but offer an ear to listen, perhaps bus tickets, a breakfast sandwich and a coffee. These people need so much more than I can give them. It breaks my heart. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis. That’s a killer final line – so matter of fact. Sadly all too true.
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Hi Holly, this poem is written about Craig, a homeless man, I passed on my way to work each morning. I’d usually buy him a coffee and a breakfast sandwich, but first I’d lift up the corner of his sleeping bag to see if he was still alive. Fortunately, he was. Now that we have warm weather, I still see him sitting on the sidewalk and I always stop to chat.
Cheers,
Dennis
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It’s incredibly harrowing the experiences some people have to live through. You are indeed a gentleman, Dennis.
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That is so sad
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I live in Ottawa, even on the coldest mornings there are people sleeping on the street. I would lift the corner of Craig’s sleeping bag every morning to check if he was alive or not. He would always be surprised, or regretful, to be alive.
Cheers,
Dennis
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Dennis, your prose perfectly conjures up the dreadful scene…
The homeless don’t want our pity, they need our help instead, but it’s impossible not to feel that way as we pass them huddled in doorway.
Here we are, living like lords, in comparison, in our centrally heated homes; whilst we work hard to pay the bills, we still come home to warmth, despite the weather.
A warm meal to fill our tummies and a clean bed to harbor our sweet dreams; with only an alarm clock to wake our slumber before we roll into another nice hot shower…
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Thanks for your kind words. They are just like us. They seek happiness and an end to suffering. A little help goes a long way.
Cheeers,
Dennis
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I have no doubt that we’re all equal it’s just circumstance that makes us different. We all go out the same way, rich or poor it’s only material things after all.
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I agree! ~ Dennis
On Thu, Jun 6, 2013 at 7:26 AM, Dennis Cardiff
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Thanks Jade, I always look forward, with pleasure, to see your icon. I appreciate your kind words.
On another note, when can we expect your second book. I can’t wait.~ Dennis.
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Sad, moving and beautifully written as always Dennis.
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You’ve captured homelessness as I see it. I pass by homeless people quite frequently. The worst part is in the winter when they’re in tight little balls under the bridges in Toronto. It gets so cold. It’s a wonder anyone’s alive in the morning. The temperatures dip here overnight to -25°C in February. Emergency crews work late into the early morning hours getting the homeless off the streets. It’s terrible what some people are going through.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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Hi Jack, I live in Ottawa where the temperatures are always a few degrees colder. Even on the coldest mornings there are people sleeping on the street. I would lift the corner of Craig’s sleeping bag every morning to check if he was alive or not. He would always be surprised, or regretful, to be alive.
On another note, I downloaded The Chamber by John Grisham. I’m sure I will enjoy it.
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Let me know what you think of the book. I’m 60% the way through.
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