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Open Poetry #32
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Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

0 posted 2004-07-03 07:03 PM


He was a child of twelve or so
upon that corner standing still
Just a young boy to those he knew
shivering from the wet wind’s chill.

With eyes so blue and tussled hair
of brown locks just above those eyes.
This boy of twelve stood oh so still
and listened to those babies cries.

He had few friends, no family
to wish him well, to say they care.
He slept alone beneath a bench
they always knew he would be there.

He seldom spoke and could not write
his name in print or cursive too.
He didn’t know the difference
‘tween one and five or four and two.

And then one day they heard a cry
and saw a man beside the bench.
For there he lay, this boy of twelve
on matted sheets, a smell of stench.

He never cried or once complained
before that day when angels came.
This boy of twelve, so innocent
a child of God, without a name.

And if you look and quietly stand
across the way from where he stood
he’ll come again as God had planned
this boy of twelve, he knew he would.

© Copyright 2004 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved
Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia
1 posted 2004-07-03 08:09 PM


Hi Barry

Absolutely heartwrenching but so wonderfully written.  Thanks for the warning.

Take care........Sue


I am in motion
I am blue
Love is an ocean
I'm anchored in you
- Shawn Mullins

Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
2 posted 2004-07-04 12:04 PM


Few things move me quite as deeply as the sorrow and pain of a child lost and alone or in someway mistreated.  Where are those tissues!

Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you.  Joy is a state of mind.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2004-07-04 12:10 PM


Barry

This feels like a true story...and I'm afraid it is told many times in different places.  Very poignant!  

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
4 posted 2004-07-04 03:41 AM


This sends goosebumps up my arms, Barry.  The chill of this is that he was here; he was not loved or cared for even 'tho people knew he was there; he died or was killed (not sure here); and he's going to come again -- and what goes around comes back again.  Sad, haunting and memoriable write, Barry.   .....jo
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
5 posted 2004-07-04 04:22 AM


thanks for the hanky alert...but I read it anyhow...
Patricia
Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160
Missouri
6 posted 2004-07-04 03:02 PM


And I needed that hanky. You have made me think and apply this story to the spiritual wisdoms I have been studying.  I thank you for that, my friend.  

Patricia

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
7 posted 2004-07-04 03:55 PM


Magnus,
  Thanks for the alert.  So many are homeless, remembered on holidays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving.  It seems there should be more we can do.  Your poem, very sad.

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