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ShaolinsOnlyPoet
Junior Member

since 2003-02-17

Posts 31
Brooklyn, New York

0 posted 2003-02-23 12:51 PM

That old man you see in the city
Sitting at the corner of Park Place,
Swaying back and forth sadly,
With a frown upon his face.

His wife and kids taken from him so fast,
He still doesn’t quite know how.
Bankruptcy tore him apart,
And that’s why he’s here now.

He sits there thinking about his mistakes,
And how he will next be fed,
Maybe scraps from the café next door,
That he shall bring to eat in his bed.

That’s made of an unsturdy Fed X box,
With a tattered blanket inside,
Is how he lives his life to the extent,
2 feet high and 4 feet wide.

Everyone thinks this man is scary,
And he should just leave you alone,
You walk by irritated by this helpless man,
“He’s taking up street space,” you groan.

During the Christmas season you see him,
When you’re hustling in the street,
You completely ignore this man,
Who only wants to warm his feet.

You don’t take time to understand him,
Or why he’s here today,
You only think how his presence is worthless,
As he thanks God and prays.

This winter you see him,
Cold, and folded into a ball,
He’s not asking for money or pity, but writes,
“Merry Christmas and God bless you all.”

Minister Joe
Member

since 2003-02-22

Posts 78
TX, USA

1 posted 2003-02-23 12:58 PM

Shaolins,

The image of the fed-ex box as the bed--particularly vivd. It's hard--to see and acknowledge how some people live--when we as a society can become so desynthestized to it, especially in larger cities. Your poem served its purpose well in focusing on one man. Well done.

Thank you,

--Matt

At sunset, the clouds were stretched midnight cotton in pale purple and a golden red.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

2 posted 2003-02-23 01:05 AM

An excellent poetic picture of an all too familiar picture of a part of our society ignored, and for this I thank you and give you my vote.

Oh! I just realized you did not submit this to Reflections on the Web, if you go back into edit and tick the submission box I would be pleased to vote for this very worthy offering.

~* Carpe' Diem *~

[This message has been edited by Mysteria (02-23-2003 01:06 AM).]

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

3 posted 2003-02-23 04:48 AM

oh my...very touching...thank you

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

4 posted 2003-02-23 02:28 PM

Thank you for the compassionate spirit you've shown with this post.
The Fed X box imagery is vivid and sad.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

5 posted 2003-02-23 02:38 PM

Your poem will hopefully bring awareness to the plight of the homeless. A deep and meaningful write. It takes a special person to pen such words...

Warm hugs,
EA

DawnG

Senior Member

since 2000-06-23

Posts 1494
United States

6 posted 2003-03-02 10:25 PM

Candii,

I added you to my library after your first post affected me so deeply. I can tell that you are quickly becoming one to watch and a definate favorite of mine. Thank you so much for sharing this very vivid poem.

Dawn

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