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Ode to the Unknown Wisdom
| Open Poetry #1 |
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Ode to the Unknown Wisdom |
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H. Arlequin Member
since 1999-08-23
Posts 210 |
Ode to the Unknown Wisdom A rusty grocery cart, one wheel out of round Was her home, transportation to get around town, Resources repository, a lifetime's collection, Trademark of indifference to social rejection And a proud banner worn, as if her claim to fame. She answered to Mary, but it wasn't her real name; A wag once remarked, her complexion's so ruddy Her nickname ought to be, "Proud Mary, the Bloody", Reminded of a cocktail, that morning, his choice, He named her, and hailed her, with his resonant voice. She replied, "Aye, laddie a dollar for Mary?" So she took what he gave, making her deft parry, A cheeky one-liner she turned a buck's profit, Proud Mary the Bloody, never one to scoff at. She became a fixture to those walking to work Every day of the week, providing some new perk, A coffee, a danish, a buck for the kitty, Starting the mornings with good will in the city. A dozen or so of those streaming around her Separately, would reach out wherever they found her, To say in one action of unmerited favor She was of value, giving their lives a flavor Without which a zest would be sadly diminished, A day to be ended, seemingly unfinished. Through the spring of that year, into the hot summer Like fate was marching to the beat of a drummer Not heard by another, yet announcing the pace, The days paraded with new acquaintances in place . One muggy day, no Mary, the cart not at her stile, There was no wrinkled face to see break with a smile, Missing the satisfaction at touching another... Impossible to be at ease, not able to uncover What happened, where, and why was she helter-skelter. Where did she spend the nights, at home or a shelter? How bizarre this unknown of someone you cared for! Inquiring, (with highest hopes, still, one prepared for...) Of the nameless, faceless souls, home to the street, About defeated ones, whom fates unkindly treat... If they knew who she was, where, and her condition, Or could give directions, a purse, their addition To coffers, only, if and when her cart was found Still intact, and its owner 's health, yet redound. Mary's home in summer, someone thought was the park Not far from the corner she maintained, dawn till dark. Less than three block's distance, searchers spied the cart, Standing where she left it, as if doing its part To provide protection from unwanted, prying eyes, That modicum, privacy's last right, if one dies Alone, as she had, in the middle of the night, Heavens, a canopy, distant stars, its delight, Glorious counterpane for the short journey home. On her back on the bench, unafraid...this a poem To her life, its last line in perfect metric rhyme With happy memories of a far younger time, A mother's suckling baby, cooing on her breasts… But at last strangers would be her final guests. Essential treasures, valuables of well-being, Through fumbling, inept hands, caretakers not seeing Jewel thieves hard at work, may allow to be lifted What,(too late discovered), not again to be gifted. In this life or the next, these greatest of her joys Are given to us by a Master who employs An unknown wisdom to determine who receives, Who is blessed, who's left out, who in faith believes That He's there, at all times in control of it all, Despite man's endeavor to usurp since the fall. Undeterred, and on course His purpose to fulfil In the Marys on earth, according to His will, Whose Justice is declaring the scales to be fair, He's added for each, an eternal reward to share. --H. Arlequin |
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| © Copyright 1999 H. Arlequin - All Rights Reserved | |||
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snow in summer Member
since 1999-08-28
Posts 67 |
This poem made me squirm... it's not clear whether those people helping Mary were doing so because they really cared for her, or because they thought it was the right thing to do, or because it made them feel less guilty. You indicate in a couple of places that they did care, but you don't really quite make that emotion resonante, hence I am left wondering.... as I said, a poem that makes you think and reflect on your own efforts to help the Mary of the world. |
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