I rummage through the garbage bins
each day to look for food,
and beg for money in the streets,
some give, but most are rude.
Show pity for this wretched one
who can't afford to live
the life that other people have,
when they have some to give.
I do not want to seem to be
all driven by my need,
but I am walking with no shoes,
and in the cold I bleed.
You may believe that what you gave
will be enough to spare,
a dollar fifty cents makes me
a multimillionaire.
Another night will come with frost,
and I still got no shoes.
Forget me now, but recall when
you see the morning news.
© Jim T. Henriksen,
September 2nd, 2008.
Author notes
I found a picture on the web that inspired me to write this one, and when I saw the contest I thought it was the ideal place for it. 
The picture that inspired me for this write is located at http://www.hobotraveler.com/blogphotos/188_12-bum-colombia-no-shoes.jpg
In a list
A contest entry
- Want My Points? by pattyann4500.
3250 points, ended September 15, 2008, 20 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Hmm.. the plight of the homeless is a hard one. Having to live like that is demeaning to anyone. I think you captured this perfectly and people need to know about how this feels to be in this position. Its a good cause to write about, more people should be aware. This poem was heart rendering and I think its brilliant.
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Yes, Shirley,
I agree completely, it is a pitiful life for many homeless people, even in the biggest and richest cities in the world. There will always be some who falls into poverty, and most of them did not offer a thought to others of the same position, before they ended up there themselves. Thanks for commenting, I appreciate it!
Jim
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It is so hot in Colombia year round that you don't want shoes. (Doesn't mean you want to be a bum.)
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I know...
Colombia is a hot place, but I wrote the poem based on what the picture told me, not what the filename was. I saw his sweater, and figured he was a bit cold, then saw his bare feet, and the inspiration came to write the poem. Thanks for your comment, and for your nice applause! Jim
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wow
hey you, very nice poem of a street persons way of making a living, you did really well in pointing all their flaws in life, congrats on the win!! and keep sharing
Linda
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Yes, I moved the stanzas around some before posting this, and balanced it carefully. In first stanza, the beggar tells of his miserable life. In second stanza, he begs for alimony to afford life's necessities. In third stanza, he apologize for being there, yet explaining why. In fourth stanza, he shows anger for being given so little help. In fifth stanza, he play on the guilt we all feel but neglect carelessly. Thanks for the comment and the applause! Jim
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How beautifully your poem fits the picture you found and how wonderf your words. I must admit I was mesmerized by your poem and how your plea touched my heart even before I saw the picture. Thank you. Patricia
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Actually,
I did not feel like begging for your points, I don't think it's right. Poetry should be usable anywhere, and not be written in such fashion that it is useless any other place, without heavy rewriting. So, I decided to write it from a beggars point of view, hoping you would see the analogy - as you did. I just wish you had had a rule about not directly begging for points - then I might have won!
Thanks for the comment, and for the wonderful applause, I appreciate it a lot! Jim
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Use 'have' in stead of 'got' in the last line of second stanza.
I feel sad for people who are so broken they can't function in society.
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Thanks,
I must have missed that one. Edited as suggested. Yes, unfortunately there is poverty in any society, not only in "poor countries", as many seem to think. Just open your eyes, and look beneath the shiny finish, and you will see a different world. Thanks for the comment, deercatcher, I appreciate it! Jim
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I like this write. It made me think about different kinds of currency. We are so lucky to be sitting in front of a screen begging for points rather than out there begging for the money and food that means the difference between survival and the reverse.
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Correct!
Hi Judy! You are absolutely correct, this was the analogy I was aiming at, and also why I put it in a beggar contest. I could just slap some lines together, literally begging for points, but that is not my style. I prefer to be subtle, like a rogue, sneaking up from behind and cutting off the money purse silently... Thanks for the comment, and the applause, it means a lot! Jim
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