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Trillium
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0 posted 2002-05-27 10:17 PM






A Man From Dakota

Within the precinct house there sat
A homeless man with battered hat.
His eyes were gazing at the past.
The sorrow in his features cast
A shaft of sympathy for one
Who felt his life so nearly done.

His name was Bill and he had come
From North Dakota. That's the sum
Of knowledge he supplied and yet,
Somehow we never could forget
The haunted eyes, the hopeless air,
That emanated from him there.

An officer, with camera came
And verified this transient's name.
Then took a picture, capturing,
The essence of Bill's wandering
And when enlarged it had appeal.
Emotions shown were so real.

It hung awhile, up on display
And everyone who passed that way,
Was taken by the quality.
The great despair that all could see.
But now it hangs upon our wall.
A homeless man, home, after all!



Betty Lou Hebert

[This message has been edited by Trillium (05-27-2002 10:19 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
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1 posted 2002-05-27 10:27 PM


Nice post Betty.  It surprised me.  I was just writing one about my dad and his travails as a farmer in North Dakota. Joyce
pegasus111
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since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219
ocala, fl, usa
2 posted 2002-05-27 10:29 PM




a sobering piece depicting the plight of too many americans in our society. great read. the descriptive skill employed here is first class.

the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost



Trillium
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3 posted 2002-05-28 12:20 PM


Joyce:  Thanks.  I'll be sure and watch for your poem about your Dad farming in North Dakota.  This is a true story by the way. My husband used to be a crime photographer for the Portland, Oregon police department many years ago.

Betty Lou Hebert

Trillium
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4 posted 2002-05-28 12:22 PM


pegasus111:  You are so right!  We have so many homeless and it's so sad.  I'm glad you thought the poem was well done.

Betty Lou Hebert

Sunshine
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5 posted 2002-05-28 06:58 AM



This is good, Betty, very good, and should be out there in a Veterans magazine...

Trillium
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6 posted 2002-05-28 01:15 PM


Sunshine:  Thanks for your comments.  We don't know that Bill was a veteran.  Just that he was homeless and in trouble with the police. Appreciate your response.
laryalee2
Member
since 2002-05-22
Posts 96
British Columbia, Canada
7 posted 2002-05-28 02:03 PM


Wow, a gripping story, Betty Lou!
It flows along so smoothly...
and leaves a lasting impression...so vivid!
Lary

Trillium
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8 posted 2002-05-28 04:09 PM


Lary:  Thank you so much for your nice comments.  Glad to hear from you.

Betty Lou Hebert

Marge Tindal
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9 posted 2002-05-29 09:14 PM


BettyLou~
You pulled a heartstring ...
'A homeless man, home, after all!'
... and I heard it *sigh*~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
         noles1@totcon.com                    

Trillium
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10 posted 2002-05-29 11:38 PM


Marge:  Thanks for your heart-felt comments.

Betty Lou Hebert

Mother_Earth
Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
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1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan
11 posted 2002-06-03 10:46 PM


Trillium, now this is the 2nd homeless man I "know". And like others have said, he is one of so many.  You showed us another side of this great world of ours.  Thanks for the word pictures,  ME
Trillium
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12 posted 2002-06-03 11:11 PM


ME:  Thanks so much for your response.

Betty Lou Hebert

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