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Open Poetry #45
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Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988


0 posted 2009-10-19 05:59 PM


The Handkerchief

I walked down the stairs into the bright city street
to the store for a brew and a smoke.
Huddled in a corner of the smashed landscape
was a rubbled human fragment that was broke.
He looked like a drab bundle of dirty clothes,
all torn and shredded at the seams,
littered with the residue of broken battles and
cracked glass of shattered dreams.

He began his dying early through agonizing routes
of disappointment, disillusion and shame,
ending up in last place on pavement searching
for that license tag of fleeting Fame.
Great men leave marks of their fragmentary existence.
On the tapestry of his life were blots,
discolored blemishes he used as yardsticks to measure
the man he was not.

With his hand extended, he looked in my eyes
and asked for any spare change.
I pulled out some quarters and a handkerchief
which he took and said "Thanks all the same."
I said there was Sorcery in the hanky,
which he viewed all folded and neat.
And if he mentally rubbed the dark spots of his life,
he could liberate himself from the streets.
Cynicism in his eyes heard Truth in my voice.
A glimmer of Hope did fuse.
I nodded with assurance and waved goodbye
saying "Try it ! So, what have you to lose ?"

Halfway down the block, I turned to see
his hand rise up in the air.
That handkerchief rubbing some phantom blot
engulfed by his captured stare.
Several days later, I passed that place
but a new guy sat in his booth
who said my guy one day stood up heading
home to his kids in Duluth.
Then I walked down the block but turned to witness
something inspiring and rare.
That new guy was rubbing, with handkerchief in hand,
some blot in the air with "his" stare.

A Man can rise from a cellar to a summit
giving birth to a brand new start,
with a sprinkle of Belief and a dash of Desire
and the Magic in the human Heart.

Namyh



© Copyright 2009 Namyh - All Rights Reserved
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
1 posted 2009-10-19 11:20 PM


This compassionate attitude
is what we need to foster worldwide.

What a beautiful write to end my night~

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
2 posted 2009-10-20 12:02 PM


Several days later, I passed that place
but a new guy sat in his booth
who said my guy one day stood up heading
home to his kids in Duluth.
Then I walked down the block but turned to witness
something inspiring and rare.
That new guy was rubbing, with handkerchief in hand,
some blot in the air with "his" stare.

This... warms the heart. *S* Great write!

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
3 posted 2009-10-20 05:14 AM


Very nice,truly enjoyed. latearrival
AncientHippie
Member
since 2009-10-15
Posts 411
Surfing the Cosmic Flow
4 posted 2009-10-20 08:36 AM


Namyh, this is a major work.  I love the way you have given Hope to this scene of social devastation.  This is "pay it forward" on a Cosmic scale.  Thank you for lifting my spirit.
Jim

Sutra 5: Public self-criticism does not brighten one’s Spark of Brahman: it merely feeds one’s narcissism.
Jim's Guide to Enlightenment:  The Comple

Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

5 posted 2009-10-20 04:22 PM


Midnitesun – Have a dream on me Midnitesun of an ideal world where there is no want, no need and people help one another. And compassion is a mandatory requirement to remain there. Thanks. Namyh

suthern – That’s where it was aimed suthern. So very happy its arrow found a target in you that spread the warmth. Namyh


Namyh
Senior Member
since 2009-01-20
Posts 988

6 posted 2009-10-20 04:23 PM


latearrival – Late or not, you’re just on time with your enjoyment. Thanks for it. Namyh

Jim – There is a vast potential in all of us. Some find it early. Others of us spend half a lifetime or more looking for it in other places and other people, only to find it was inside all the time. From one ancient with lifted spirits to another whose spirit is lifted, thanks Jim. Glad you loved this. Hope it put a smile in your day. Namyh

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