I would see him every evening
as I strolled home
along the peaceful park path.
He sat quietly on an old bench
tossing crumbs to the curious cats
and pestering pigeons,
as if they were his personal pets.
Always attired in the same
worn white jacket and dark hat,
lint clinging to the old felt.
Worried wrinkles lined his weathered face,
yet youth still sparkled
in his aged eyes.
His name was Gentle George,
a widower, lonely,
lost for purpose and wasting time.
He would wave to each passer-by,
though most ignored
this seemingly strange old man
with the crooked smile.
I was one of those people.
Though I noticed him daily,
sitting quietly on the same park bench,
I never stopped to shake his hand,
hands that worked hard
to support a family,
hands that helped his children
as they learned to walk,
hands that held his wife
during her dying breath.
I didn’t realize how important
it might be for me to stop for a moment
and say hello to this gentle man,
to offer a warm word or a generous grin,
until the day I saw the empty bench.
Author notes
3. Write about a life changing event. NO FAKES.
Option 2 -
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
In a list
- ~Contemporary Free verse • next in list
- ~AP American Idol Season 2 Winning Pieces • next in list
- brilliant poetry by my friends • next in list
A contest entry
- IDOL....FINAL ROUND Invite Only by poet2angels.
650 points, ended May 4, 2007, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Blink by RedAquarius.
440 points, ended May 11, 2007, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - ~5 Options Contest~ by KateMadness.
450 points, ended July 4, 2007, 21 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 33 of 33
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very interresting memory. reminds me of walking to school and seeing an old man who used to sit at his table by the window every morning and watch the kids walk to school. thanks for sharing.
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Oh wow... its such simple, beautiful, story-telling imagery and then the end is so powerful, dark and grim. I loved the idea of this write too... and the meaningful, unexpected feeling of suddenly loosing a part of you. Wonder write.
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Oh this gave me chills the raw truth we go through life so fast that we don't think time will change oh this is so touching and so well written each line flow well into the next and the imagery is a grandstand wowo a beautiful touching write...
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Wow, I like how it went along. And i like the quote. "If you judge peiople, you have no time to love them"
Very good write. Very interesting. And it realyl did speak alot.
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'~Wasting Time~'
Like the story goes...'give me roses while I live'...
if only we would do just thst...
as always i thank you for sharing and letting me and the rest of us read your words.... -
Wow.
That spoke a lot. The society today just don't understand some people.
Sometimes we don't know or want to know until it's too late. That old man reminded me so much of my great great grandfather. People would avoid him just because he couldn't talk.
But he was generous, just as this old man was.
Your poem is lovely, and I can see how this changed you. I feel very sorry for that old man, and hope he rested in peace.
Great job, and best wishes to you. -
I like this. I can feel guilt and regret coming from this, and I like how you used alliteration. Great work.
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A most excellent and awesome sharing! I loved this the first time I read it and I love it still
Thank you for sharing this into the contest; I wish you nothing but the best -
this was beautiful and sad great way to end this very powerful this made me cry I too could have done such things but never did I think we are all guilty of such an action great write
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There a millions of Gentle Georges. I notice them most I think when out to eat. Sitting alone, at tables, eating by themselves, you can see the lonliness in the posture and eyes the most I think. A simple smile, can make them light up with joy just happy someone realizes they are still alive.
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Such a lovely wistful poem . . . the last line made me want to cry. It makes me think twice about just passing someone by next time.
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This one brought tears to my eyes...
I don't know how many times I could've stopped and spoken to someone or acknowledged their presence only to find that I was too late and there was no going back to make amends...
Lori, this is just outstanding; very much so touches the heart and soul of your reader! Bravo poetess -
This one brought tears to my eyes...
I don't know how many times I could've stopped and spoken to someone or acknowledged their presence only to find that I was too late and there was no going back to make amends...
Lori, this is just outstanding; very much so touches the heart and soul of your reader! Bravo poetess -
How Wonderful....
that the old man found someone to share the rest of his life with
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Lori, this is so carefully and lovingle wrought, I can almost feel your regret. No chopping the lines, it is clear and a pleasure to read-- twice
congrats on the gold my friend.
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We have lost our beacons as we let the elderly crumble into uslessness. We rob them of their dignity. You have expressed this beautifully in this piece. The tenderness weeps in the opening lines and it is in the last verse that I hear your mind talking more than your heart as if you could not let us see anymore your sense of loss. Love, Tom B.
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This is a poignant poem, simply yet lovingly expressed with the right amount of detail to draw me in. The final line fills me with regret.
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What a wonderful perspective and view of just how important caring is before death arrives. Love the easy flow and gentle alliteration throughout this beautiful piece. Wonderful as usual my sister. I would give you a basket full of clappies if I could.
Will three do for now?
Becky
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I quite like the gentle touches of alliteration, interesting story. Good luck and thanks for entering the contest.
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3 claps...9pts
The Poetic Bandits
~Lilac
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Impressive...
Gosh this story really touched me, and that last line clinched a lump in my throat
...this kind of thing happens way too often because people can't find the time to stop, just for a few minutes, that's all it takes...there are such lonely people all around us, all they need is recognition with a nod and a smile, they don't ask for much, and yet it means so much to them...
This is a fantastic write and well deserves the gold trophy, congratulations
Love and smiles...
~lilac
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Awww how sweet and yes I agree sometimes stopping to chat with smeone can seem to be a ;bother' to us and yet it is something that can be mutually uplifting and beneficial! Interesting piece to be certain, nice flow to it Best of luck in this and all of your endeavors. Hetohke'e
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Exceptional!!!
This is just an amazing poem! You did such a magnificent job on this piece, I was actually thinking that you really did know this man. You certainly deserved the Gold for this, I found it to be exceptional.
Love & Light
Debbera
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A very good write. Heartfelt. Good imagery, flow and tone. Lovely depth of feeling. Good descriptives and word choice. Strong alliteration, nice assonance. Congratulations on winning Gold. Well deserved.
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Ouch, the cruel empty bench mocking our neglect of other humanity. A brutal lesson in things we take for granted. We seem to rest comfortably in apathy until reality gives us a violent shake.
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CONGRATS!!!! to the American IDOL
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I'm floored! Thanks Lynda! I am very honored.
~Lori
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WOW
This one especially touched me...
I have done a little research on the homeless and seen with my own eyes and written about the subject ...this is compassionate, warm and the ending was a clincher...I would like to say more but I am choked up...
Excellent poetry with deep emotion, Sis....
Lynda
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Precious!
It can be difficult to imagine one moment there and the next gone...
Even those strangers...I call semi-permanent fixtures that stand out and most of the time...make the world a brighter place to live in...
They smile...or not...but still Touch a part of the Heart
where it leaves a stain to remember...especially the pigeons the they feed...or the squirrels from the
trees...
They miss them too
I remember smiling at every cardiac patient that passed me...for several times...
they passed me physically no more...only
their Spirits did...routinely...
and still smiling...
Thank You for sharing this!
Best wishes to You in the contest
Many blessings too
and much love~ Desire~*~
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THIS REALLY TOCHED ME!
We do often pass by those who are just lonely and want someone to give them a few minutes to just talk to and be friendly towards.
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great
it really liked this poem you should enter it in the remember when contest because it really fits that kind of a poem
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How many times do we do this, watch a stranger and paint their life for them when if we were braver we may have sat to chat a while and learnt the measure of the life lived. So beautifully done. Love, C
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Thanks so much for this beautiful comment, Cheryl. It's greatly appreciated.
~Lori
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