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Open Poetry #14
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Third Street Promenade - an oldie, for serenity :)
| Open Poetry #14 |
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Third Street Promenade - an oldie, for serenity :) |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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THIRD STREET PROMENADE I went for a walk along the ocean, Thought the scenery might do me good. Cold reality changed my perception Of a once beautiful neighborhood. I saw chessboards with losers on both sides Betting street drugs against foodstamps. The walkway littered with empty bottles, Walls with graffiti, broken streetlamps. Knocked over trash cans, rummaging bums, Teenagers proudly brandishing knives. Alcoholics begging for spare change. Pretty women prostituting their lives. I saw a busboy beating on a vagrant For trying to eat someone's leftover food. Only to promptly throw it away With a "Holier than Thou" attitude. Saddened, I walked back towards my hotel. But before I got there, against the wall, I saw him sitting dark and silent. I saw a man who lost it all. His eyes stared off into nothingness. His face, the visage of despair. He never moved, nor made a sound, I'm not even sure he knew I was there. An army jacket, camouflage pants. The dog tags told me this man had served. Only to be forsaken and forgotten, Coming home to a life so undeserved. I offered money, I offered food, The man never lifted an eye. I couldn't give him what he needed, I couldn't give him a reason "Why?" Spray-painted on the wall above him, The words "Love thy neighbor" boldly displayed The forgotten values of a society, Lost to class levels by which we are weighed. Late that night, I went back to find him. But in the distance hearing trumpets fade. I realized Peace gave him his answer In the cheerless Third Street Promenade. I stopped a moment to count my blessings, Looking out to the stars above me. And in noticing my less fortunate brothers, Wondered what they must be thinking of me. For the first time I saw how their eyes shined With emotion only a God-given soul contrives. And I realized it's people, not scenery, That bring true beauty to our lives. Michael Anderson |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Hey...guess what...couldn't sleep... I had just come to the decision in my mind that there is no parity in life, that ideals are just a farce of a human in denial, that life is just harsh and only the strong and unfeeling survive...and then I read your poem. I can't say for sure that it's all straightened out, but maybe I'm confused in the right direction again...and I know I'm not making much sense, but why break a trend? Thank you Michael... you don't know what you did for me this morning. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
serenity, LOL at "confused in the right direction" - I know that feeling well too, I think. Geeze, in reading your reply I hope I didn't ruin some horribly deep, gothic masterpiece you might have been conjuring up - you can really come up with some awesome dark stuff when you want to ya know... Anyway, if I at least got you to slow down and take a breath, it was worth it. There will be a sun tomorrow, I promise.  Michael |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Beautiful Michael ... a poignant reminder to hold tight to the heart when the days seem so very long and dark. Thank you Serenity for prompting Michael to post this ... I too needed it today. It's a wonderful poem Michael. Best wishes, /Kit |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I stopped a moment to count my blessings, Looking out to the stars above me. And in noticing my less fortunate brothers, Wondered what they must be thinking of me. For the first time I saw how their eyes shined With emotion only a God-given soul contrives. And I realized it's people, not scenery, That bring true beauty to our lives. ======================================= quote: Is that our beloved prince of darkness making promises of sunshine... Sun or no sun...that warms me heart   she said I dont know why you ever would lie to me |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Michael--I have been on this street..and you have written it well...but it was sunny that day and hidden behind the fountain where someone had dumped a bottle of joy...a couple sat with arms around each other...as bubbles emptied onto the street. |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
It always boils down to people, doesn't it? |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Another example of your ability to 'see' what we miss. Perfect poem sir!  |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Let me pin point This is poetic perfection... Regards to you, Michael, Sudhir |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
Oh how I saw the reality in this and yes, the hope. Kathleen Blake |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
 do I like this, good for you Michael, tribute to a grand lady.Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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