" Selfishness is the only real atheism; aspiration, unselfishness, the only real religion .**"
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
Twigs and stones
Breaking bones
Name calling
Brings gales
Of laughter
Stereotypes* not
Always right
Hard to get rid
Of in darkest night
Character comes
From within
Not in crowds
Noisy din
Seniors; men, women
And children, too
Why should they
Wander the city streets
With shelter in view
Author notes
Written 8/13/2007 in the Arboretum
** http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/franklin_d_roosevelt.html
* For a poem about stereotypes, click on this link: http://allpoetry.com/poem/2140139
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype
For information on homelessness; just click on these Google Links:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWO,RNWO:2008-24,RNWO:en&q=%3CHomelessness%3E
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWO,RNWO:2008-24,RNWO:en&q=Homeless+Veterans
http://www.local.com/results.aspx?keyword=Veterans+Organizations&location=Seattle+Wa
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=1757
http://www.lyricsbay.com/tenting_tonight_on_the_old_campground_lyrics-unknown.html
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWO,RNWO:2008-24,RNWO:en&q=%3Chomeless+youth%3E
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWO,RNWO:2008-24,RNWO:en&q=homeless+families
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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I read this poem and it made me feel very deeply about it. I live in New York City, and like any major city it has its fair share of homeless and those stuck in poverty. I don't always feel compassion for the homeless, particularly some of the panhandlers in our subways and streets. Despite that fact this was a really amazing read for me, and it helped me remember that not all of the homeless squander their money on material things that will not help them rise out of their situation. I hope that more people will read this and have about the same response as I did. I is a wonderful write, and I encourage you to keep writing.
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Thank you for your most thoughtful comments; and compliments. I do appreciate them.
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This was just so spot-on! An excellent perception. Thank you for sharing it.
Be well,
Slayer
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Thank you for your comment; compliment and applause. I do appreciate them.
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Good questions
We see them on the streets and call them bums. While some are, most have a story. We could hear their story, but most choose to be unawair of their presence. You are right about character too. Character is holding on to your values, when peer presure makes it hard. Great write, The Shaker
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments; compliment and applause. I do appreciate them. I wrote a poem called:
"Stereotypes", if you care to read it, here's the link:
http://allpoetry.com/poem/2140139
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Good Morning
A very thoughtful poem on the many homeless in this rich country. Many seem to lend a blind eye to their plight and feel apathetic about them. I guess we will all be judged in the end by our actions here on earth. Thank you for sharing. An excellent poem my friend. You take care.
Bless You,
Sandy
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Thank you for your comments; compliment and applause. I do appreciate them. I shall; and you also.
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sweet.
this is really good.
kinda reminded me a little bit of .. "why do you see the spec in your brothers eye, and not see the log in your own!"
basically. people are odd.
VERY odd, but they are mostly the same.
The oddness has structure. though the structure might entail uniqueness. =]
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Thank you for your astute comments; compliments and applause, my friend. I do appreciate them.
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Hello Trafalger679Curious.
I like the message in this but I do have to say, that I feel it could have a stronger spine, by that I mean a line of continuity, for it seems too much of a jump at times. 1st to 2nd paragraphs blend well, but then it seems too jump a little too much. 3rd and 4th blend well, and the flow into the 5th stanza I again I think jumps a little too much. If the jumps is what you wanted, then ignore everything but the first and last line, hahaha. I mean no offence of course.
My regards.
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I like your comments, however, methinks the lives of the homeless are probably a little chaotic, to say the least, so on a subconscious level a reflection of that found it's way into this poem. Also, I write only by inspiration and do not choose to consider academic technigues when writing poetry. Book learning is fine, of course, however, as a Senior Citizen, I can testify that the school of hard knocks can often teach an individual more than anything one reads in a textbook.
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Nicely done. The first part of the poem reminded me of a story I heard yesterday on CJAD in Montreal about a boy beaten with a bat and a block of wood at the hands of bullies.
Mike
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There's no excuse for bullying anyone, including the homeless. In my personal opinion, even politicians have no right to bully the homeless, or anyone else for that matter. Thanks for the comment; compliment and applause. I do appreciate them.
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The world is filled with sadness and sad people who have nothing positive to look forward to. Yes, they all mingle together. well done.
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Thank you for your comment; compliment and applause, my friend. I do appreciate them.
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There's much despair in the world that surrounds us. Though short in stature this a big write on a very important topic. Happy trails neighbor.
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Thanks for your comment and compliment. I do appreciate them.
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