Big Issue, Big Issue he stridently calls.
The sounds echoing round the precinct walls.
I look and I see the seller standing there
Flashy trainers and well cropped hair.
At his feet on the end of some string.
His best friend sits with tail in full swing.
I dig in my pocket -- the one with no hole.
I’ve a few coins left from my minimal dole.
I’ve been poor, I know what it’s about.
But when I was down I did not shout!
Author notes
It's not always those who make most noise who need most help.
In a list
A contest entry
- Poor Po' by poetryality.
600 points, ended February 15, 10 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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The words are so true here Jim. Glad you received the Honorable winner with this one. Thanks for presenting some insight into this!
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Thanks for reading and writing PP
I have nothing against the "Big-Issue" people as such but some of the sellers in my area seem to have more ready cash than me!!
Jim
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Hi
And I can relate to this piece. Seems life has it's way of humbling some. Nice rhyme , which I enjoy. And a light little piece also
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Hi Bob,
Thanks for reading and writing. I was a little worried some might see itas a bit of a diatribe.
Jim
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Important Topic
I believe it to be vital that we help each other. Unfortunately,there are those that abuse generosity. Hannah is now strictly on table foods. I had many containers of baby food and boxes of baby cereal left that my mother had bought me. I discovered a shelter for domestic violence victims and donated. I figured,"Hey,this food will go bad and I KNOW it's going to a good cause." I also give donations when I can to The Humane Society of the United States for animals. We've given to a few other causes as well. My husband and I used to give to strangers but had a bad feeling about one or two after wards. They were very persistent. It's a shame,because some really ARE in need.
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Like you I prefer active support than just street giving. This is my main charity http://www.cinderellaclub.org/
Have a look and you'll even see my ugly mug on here.
Jim -
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Great charity!!! Wow..Chairman,too. That is so touching you continued where your father left off. I'm sure he'd be very proud,and for your information...your mug is NOT ugly
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"The sounding echoing around the precinct walls.", makes me hear; "Big Issue" even more "stridently".
I was born with rhyme, and good rhyme must spill over in meter and flow. The beat, the cadence... is as important as the Rhyme. It took me a moment to read beyond this line.
"The sounding echoing around the precinct walls."
The meter was interrupted somewhere here. Maybe the line flow would have meld better had it read;
"Resounding echos around precinct walls". We tend to over use; "the".
The message is strong. Poverty doesn't bellow or beg, it is what it is. Many are stricken, and remain, meek, to themselves, almost accepting the card dealt to them.
You allow the reader to see the scene you've written. Personally, I could see this Mimed with narration.
Thank you for this entry, and I truly hope you don't mind the constructive critique I humbly offer.
I wish you the best!
Much Love & Respect ♥
Renee
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Thanks for your comments and the HM. I am grateful to you for pointing out my typo. Sounding should have been sounds and has been changed accordingly. From your words you appear to have understood my message so fortunately no harm was done.
Thank you for, once again, providing an inspirational theme to stir my muse.
Jim
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thoughtful
Hi Jim -it's a difficult one this. Made me think. We never give to Big Issue sellers although they are doing something for themselves. Except at Christmas, but then we don't as you are meant to, take the paper. That's because, me being rather OCD, I wouldn't able to cope with the 'germs' on the paper and I'd have to throw it away anyway and then wash my hands a hundred times because I'd touched something touched by someone who might be dirty! But we do support the people who support them... and we're always careful to look them in the face and talk back, not treat them as non-people. Here in Bristol we have nice sellers actually -they aren't at all pushy, always say hello and thank you, even when (as we do) we just say not today thank you. So there you go now you know another of my foibles...
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As an active charity worker myself [Bradford Cinderella Club and others] I know what a struggle some people have and am happy to support where possible. Most of the BI sellers are decent folk, happy and communicative and I am happy to help.
However I have come across a couple of this type, exactly as described, and it makes me uncomfortable to give to them.
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