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Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

0 posted 2000-01-14 02:34 PM

He held the bottle close, yet loose,
His grip, now somewhat slackened.
He raised it, tried to find his mouth,
With teeth all chipped and blackened.

He did not know what time it was
Nor even what the day.
He did not feel the cold, damp ground
Beneath him where he lay.

He could not hold a thought for long.
Didn't know he'd lost his hat.
His mind and eyes completely fogged,
His brain synapses flat.

Now, in his blank and cloudy mind,
No bad thoughts came unbidden.
They stayed down where his "old self" lived,
Sequestered, lost and hidden.

He did not know how near deaths door,
But neither did he care.
This nothingness is what he sought,
Though he found no solace there.

The "locals" helped him out most times,
With money, rides or food.
He wasn't especially grateful, but
Was never, ever rude.

He'd bow and scrape like a good bum should,
His repitoire, automatic,
"God bless you sir, or ma'am," he'd say,
This harmless, likeable addict.

We'd give him rides and jobs and such
Not feeling ANY link.
We'd pay him for a job well done and
He'd toddle off to drink.

We gave him clothes and sleeping bags,
And twice, even a tent.
A mountain of beer cans filled them soon,
Where he lay, the only indent.

We could not just ignore this man,
Though at times he was a pain.
We could not leave him there to die,
In the cold and the wind and the rain.

Then one day, This AMAZING thing.
He told me his FULL name.
I'd known a boy, whose name was that!
He COULD NOT be the same!?

With bushy hair and beard and all,
He was just "one of THOSE men".
But true, our paths had crossed before.
We'd gone to school "back when"!

It's too late to make this short,
But it's not to late to try.
He's off the street and has a home.
He's sober, clean and dry.

His teeth are fixed, he eats better now.
And get this, he goes to school.
College yet, with a 3.8.
He's certainly nobody's fool.

I do not take the credit for this!
He did it on his own.
I just encouraged him when I could,
And helped him to not feel alone!

I've learned that opportunities come.
You can help or choose to ignore.
I hope we've learned to recognize them,
'Cause we may not get many more.

I thank the Lord for this one and
Am glad it did not pass us by,
And for the lessons it has taught,
"There, but for the grace of God, go I".

We are ALL here to help each other,
Where-ever, when-ever we can
That is how it's supposed to be.
That's what God wants from man.

So, help when opportunity's there.
Unveil your eyes and you'll see
Many people that you can help.
And, you never know who it may be!!

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

1 posted 2000-01-14 02:41 PM

Very wise words well written!!! It's so easy to show condemnation instead of compassion...

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

2 posted 2000-01-14 02:59 PM

Thank you suthern! True, It IS easier to condemn.

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

3 posted 2000-01-14 03:41 PM

This is a wonderful poem with such a great message and a great happy ending!

Denise

And slight is the sting of his trouble
Whose winnings are less than his worth;
For he who is honest is noble,
Whatever his fortunes or birth.~~~Alice Cary, ~Nobility~

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

4 posted 2000-01-14 04:04 PM

Thank you dsnyder. It has been a VERY happy ending. (so far). Keep your fingers crossed for him.

Irie
Senior Member

since 1999-12-01

Posts 1493
Washington State

5 posted 2000-01-14 04:04 PM

Wow Mom. Great job. Does he know you wrote this? I think it is well put, and all so true.
Hope to see more from you soon,
Love you

~S

Irie
Senior Member

since 1999-12-01

Posts 1493
Washington State

6 posted 2000-01-14 04:11 PM

Ok, I don't know what happened to the first reply I posted, but it is all green and a funny font, and it can't be read! Sorry..
So here it goes again.
Great Job Mom, I'm impressed. Does he know you wrote this? I look forward to seeing more from you....
Love you...
~S

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

7 posted 2000-01-14 04:25 PM

No, Baby, He doesn't know and I hope he never does. I'm sure it would be painful for him to read. He already has been hurt enough. Thanks and I love you.

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

8 posted 2000-01-14 11:38 PM

Very tender. Very touchingly tender.
I'm glad for your friend.
Yes, there are many out there who just
need a hand up ...
Wonderful lesson here.
Thank you for sharing this.
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
[email protected]

Echo Rhayne
Senior Member

since 1999-09-17

Posts 1495
Canyon Country, CA

9 posted 2000-01-15 02:21 AM

So well put! So glad to hear it has had a happy ending so far, I hope it stays that way.

~*~ ^i^ ~*~ Love is such a lonely art, and death is but a taste. Minds are merely instruments that often go to waste! ~*~ ^i^ ~*~

Rus Bowden
Member

since 2000-01-13

Posts 139

10 posted 2000-01-15 04:40 PM

Hi Bbuzz,

What a way to tell a tale and such a good one too! Nice rhyme for a happy ending. Good to read.

Rus

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

11 posted 2000-01-15 11:45 PM

Thank you Marge! I LOVE your comments.

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

12 posted 2000-01-15 11:48 PM

Me too Echo Rhayne, Thank you! He fell off once already but put himself back in treatment. Good again now for several months.

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

13 posted 2000-01-15 11:50 PM

Thank you Rus! I sure appreciate all the nice comments.

Artur Hawkwing
Member

since 1999-06-30

Posts 444
USA

14 posted 2000-01-15 11:57 PM

An exceptional read. You have done someone such kindness that God has blessed you both.

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

15 posted 2000-01-16 12:06 PM

Thank you Artur Hawkwing! Indeed God has blessed us both! Especially me. Thank you and May God Bless you too!

CrazyChick
Member

since 2000-01-05

Posts 132

16 posted 2000-01-16 12:08 PM

Great work, I love the happy ending!!!

Pepper
Member Elite

since 1999-08-19

Posts 3079
Southern Florida

17 posted 2000-01-16 12:26 PM

This is an extremely moving piece Bbuzz written most beautfully....

A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire!
Shannon

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-11-08

Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

18 posted 2000-01-16 06:59 AM

This poem is moving, captivating, well written and just wonderful
Liz

Bbuzz
Member

since 1999-12-17

Posts 76
Washinton State

19 posted 2000-01-17 08:51 AM

Thank You, CrazyChick, I hope it stays happy too!

Pepper, Thank you for such high praise!

Liz, Thank you too. He can always use your prayers.
THANK YOU ALL!

Justbleu
Member Elite

since 1999-08-31

Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)

20 posted 2000-01-17 01:16 PM

What a wonderful poem....if only more people stepped outside of themselves to give a helping hand or thought of encoouragement of love to those in need this world would be a much more wonderful place....Thank You for sharing such a great story!! Thank You!!

Take Care
Bridgette

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