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evomx5
Member

since 2005-07-11

Posts 52
Atlanta, GA

0 posted 2005-07-13 10:07 AM

The rain was pouring, thunder in the distance
Her tattered coat offered no resistance
I saw her walking, soaking wet
Filled with anger and regret

Cast aside from all she’s known
Living in a cardboard home
I had to know what caused her fate
What filled her heart with all this hate

I stopped the car and called her near
She looked at me with eyes of fear
I said, “I’d like to chat with you”
She said, “chatting’s all we’ll do”

She climbed inside, we drove away
Stopped at a coffee shop along the way
I asked what had happened in her life
Why she wasn’t someone’s wife

She said, “I was, I had it all
Husband, kids, shopped at the mall
But we lost our love, I began to stray
He took the kids and went away”

“I had no skills, never went to college
Everyone now wants experience and knowledge
Pretty soon, the house was gone
I was out on the street and all alone”

“Husband told the kids I was nothing but trash
So, I guess my family’s all in the past
Now, I wander around, stop at the kitchen
They give me some food and listen to my bitchin”

“They think I’m crazy and that’s okay
If they were in my shoes, they wouldn’t last a day
It’s a hard life out here, you get beat up and spit on
But sometimes, someone nice will toss you a bone”

“And they’ll tell you not to spend it all on booze
Hell, a drink or some food - it’s not hard to choose
You get used to eating the dumpster food
But when you get a buck or two, hot food’s so good”

I had bought her the special, she was eating it slow
Didn’t want to go out in the rain, I know
We talked a while longer, then I had to leave
I handed her a twenty, she tucked it in her sleeve

I asked the manager if she could stay for a while
He looked at her and gave me a smile
He said she could stay till the rain let up
And he walked over to fill up her coffee cup

I was walking past her, she grabbed my hand
She said, “It doesn’t take much to get where I am
It could just as easily be you sitting here”
I walked away fighting back a tear

It’s true what she said, just a paycheck away
A bad set of circumstances on any given day
Now I look at the homeless a whole different way
I don’t pass them by with nothing to say

I look in their eyes and I see their pain
I do what I can to help them regain
A little of the dignity, lost to the world
Before their life had become unfurled.

LeeJ
Member Patricius

since 2003-06-19

Posts 13296

1 posted 2005-07-13 10:15 AM

sometimes all it takes is harsh words year after year, people who use or judge...cruel actions...unthinking accusations...

I believe mankind has lost the ability to look at someone and simply think to themselves...until I've walked in their shoes, I'll not remark or better yet...think of the ripple effects before acting out or speaking out

Well done and a great write for everyone to read and ponder

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-12-27

Posts 8348
Florida

2 posted 2005-07-13 12:13 PM

Stark, honest reality. Done very well.

I look forward to more.

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

3 posted 2005-07-13 12:15 PM

What wonderful word portrait artistry! Vivid and compelling. Thanks for joining this board!

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

4 posted 2005-07-13 01:42 PM

Sending a

for this bit of compassion...

Thank you, Sir!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

5 posted 2005-07-13 01:44 PM

Very gripping and true to life write!
I much admire your style.

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate

since 2000-10-29

Posts 19200
Between the Lines

6 posted 2005-07-13 01:54 PM

everything you said is true...just a paycheck away

M

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

7 posted 2005-07-13 02:55 PM

A great message in this - all they want is someone to say, "Hello!" and acknowledge them. So true, any one of us could be them and should remember that.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

8 posted 2005-07-13 02:59 PM

this is a heart-touching write

Welcome to Passions!

I will be looking for more of your work, indeed

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