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Open Poetry #43
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Billy
| Open Poetry #43 |
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Billy |
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Kalandria Junior Member
since 2006-05-23
Posts 44Yorkshire, England |
For all the Billys that I teach. Billy " He's a bad one, that Billy". Everybody knows. Stalking the streets with fists clenched In the pockets of a worn out coat. Stealing milk from the shop near his house, And swearing as they haul him away. Just ten years of age. Beyond hope, they say. "He's a wrong one, that Billy" Everybody knows. An unknown name on a register At a school that he never attends. He stands by the chain linked fence, Kicking newspapers that he cannot read. A furrowed brow, On a face that's seen too much. " He's a strange one, that Billy" Everybody knows. Sitting alone on a bench in the park Watching the others as they play. They whisper and point. Their words carrying to the ears Of the boy Who just wants to belong. He's an angel, that Billy. Nobody knows. Waking at dawn to tend to a mother Who lies still in her bed. Sleeping off the effects of another late night, in the arms of a man with no name. Her family, a burden She'd rather forget. He's a hero, that Billy. Nobody knows. Stealing milk to feed his baby brother Knowing the money has gone. Washing his clothes in a sink full of pots. Every day the same, no respite For the child who sees the world Turn and walk away. |
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| © Copyright 2008 Sharon Zaccardelli - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
enjoyed this heart song... |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Dear Kalandria, what a tremendously poignant write!! You open the eyes and the heart of the reader. Yes, I guess, there are many such heroic kids like this apparently well-known Billy you speak of. That's why we never should stop at the apparent surface. Being human means trying to understand. Thank you for this wonderfully sensitive contribution, dear Kalandria. Love, Margherita |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
This brought tears to my eyes for this Billy and all of your Billies and the ones I used to teach too, and those that neither of us have taught. - Owl |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo Kalandria, This is a good poem. Hey, I know that guy. He even has the same name. All Billys are alike. Good on Billy, a person has to do what they have to do. Bobby [This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (08-16-2008 10:03 AM).] |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
This is one of the best poems I have read lately...Very well written, great lines. |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
A most moving write! I'd like to think that there are many "Billy's" in the world but these days I think perhaps not - well, at least in my part of the world because here it seems that the family unit is not what it was. The kids leave home and live on the streets. So sad! Helen |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I was very moved by this poem. Having worked for the local school dist. for 30 years, I have known a few "Billys" and this poem should be read by everyone who deals with the education of children. Excellent! Ida |
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Kalandria Junior Member
since 2006-05-23
Posts 44Yorkshire, England |
Thankyou all for your lovely comments. My Billy has many names and many faces, but I see him every day and I guess I wrote the poem to remind myself that, even on the hardest of days, when Billy is driving me mad, I will never have to live the way he does or have to find the strength he finds every day and so each time I try to be patient and understand. My Billys really are heroes and I wish them all the best. |
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