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Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

0 posted 2012-12-04 12:36 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 was 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 his 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.

© Copyright 2012 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
1 posted 2012-12-13 03:51 PM


Great poem Betty.  I was born and raised in North Dakota.  Merry Christmas.  Love, Joyce
Trillium
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Member Patricius
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Idaho, USA
2 posted 2012-12-13 10:00 PM


Dear Joyce:

Thanks for commenting. This is a true story, as my husband was a photographer for the Portland Police Dept. years ago and his picture of this man, Bill, was widely displayed for awhile as it was so poignant.
We still have it in our family.

Merry Christmas to you also!
Betty Lou

Verbena
Member
since 2005-10-17
Posts 196
Australia
3 posted 2012-12-21 08:59 AM


Dear Betty Lou

A sad poem but wonderfully versed.

Love Verbena xo


Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
4 posted 2012-12-21 06:24 PM


Verbena.  We have always kept that portrait in our home for a lot of years now.
We still have it with us here in Arizona.

Betty Lou

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