Open Poetry #10 |
Humility's Baby Steps |
wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
In my faded coat and my worn out shoes I must suck in my bruising, empty pride The swirling logo makes me walk so fast There, the home shelter, I must go inside My son asked if he could take some cans To his school holding a prized food drive Taste the sugar of life's securities Does he know that we are barely alive? When all three kids were trundling out the door The pantry, I gazed at it's empty shelf I'm adept at survival on my own I never thought I'd eat this good myself Why must it be, always the wake up call Arrives when it's just a bit too late When dinner's burned the tongue of desire That there would be something to fill the plate So the shelter's here and it's bitter cold My coat sleeve held to my blistering face There's a line for bread and a line for meat It's been awhile but I do know this place The father doles cans and bags of white rice "Son, our Jesus comes soon. Why have you hid?" I smile at him and say "I'll tell you sir, He comes every day I can feed my kids" On the side of the road a few years back You may have seen a man with an expensive coat Was that a smirk was he just a huge fake Begging for money as he steals to gloat At the last red light with my sign and pride A woman tossed the leather coat to me That wasn't a smirk or a foolish grin It was the baby steps of humility My faded shoes, I hope to never lose Though my fancy coat may have seen it's last I've a family now and I'll see somehow For all things, hunger, this too shall pass [This message has been edited by wayoutwalt (edited 11-16-2000).] |
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© Copyright 2000 Walt Burns - All Rights Reserved | |||
SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Walt you are amazing and your talent blows me away. You humble us all. -SEA |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
WOW...there is some deeply rooted, sentient sentiments here, Walt, and I am truly grateful that at this time of year, you chose to share this much with us, so that we all should learn, and take heed... Well done, Sir.... Karilea If I whisper, will you listen?... I would rather be silent and write, than speak loudly and be bound. KRJ |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
sunshine and sea from reading you two i have learned humility hehe nice huh? thanx for pickin me up yuh |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
WOW, it humbling to read the depth of emotion and wisdom in your poetry. write on Kethry Why do yesterdays remain and todays pass by ...unnoticed? Rex E. Alford |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Walt, the speaker in this piece is much more of a man than me. When I had nothing to eat, I found just enough change to buy a 1 pound bad of Aunt Jemima's Yellow Cornmeal, and I had cornmeal mush for three months. Taught me a lot about rationing. But, I didn't have others to feed, just myself. I spurned governmental support, as I knew there were others out there needier and hungrier than I, though my stomach rumbled most of the time, despite the quatities of water imbued. I and my personal pride would not allow my hand to go out, but again, I had no one else to feed. Sometimes I wonder, and hope that it should never be so...I wonder what I would do, had I others to feed..... Walt, powerful poem to evoke such a response from me, I who am succint. |
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wayoutwalt Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870TEXAS (it's all big) |
thanky kethry yuh make me smile mister cat you and i should go way back then |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Walt... the experience comes alive through your words... well done with this one my friend. I admire your ability to tell narrative tales... K The wind shifts like this: Like a human without illusions... This is how the wind shifts: Like a human, heavy and heavy, Who does not care. W.S |
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