complexion deep, with lines
and furrows crows-feet
sitting proud, tired eyes
pale blue in colour,
hair the shade of steel,
lips just lines once full
and smiling ,now a downwards
turn looking neither this or
that way hurries through
the town
cast-off clothing keeps
the chill out frayed and
tattered torn ,cobbled
stockings hanging loosely
shoes she's never worn,
lifetimes memories bundled
closely always in her hands,
sleeps so little, cold so often
huddled by the stand,
once somebody, someones
mother, sister ,auntie May,
now nobody, no one's lover
moves upon her way..........
Author notes
Sadly there are all too many of these poor souls wandering around unloved .
Written August 28th, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- ----- by Yemassee.
700 points, ended December 7, 2004, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
-
Thank you so much
...I enjoyed writing this as all too often these people seem to mearge into the background and fade. They are wonderful people who have such amazing memories, if only people would take the time to befriend them...Thank you for your lovely comments 
-
Awesome Job
WOWWWWWWWW very touching write,I am not looking for this day to come up on me. I give this Two Thumbs Up great write again. Thank you for sharing this with my family and I. Keep up the awesome job you do and God Bless you from our family to yours -
Thank you You are very welcome
-
We see the rejects of our fast paced society and rarely see them as people--as what they were or could have been. It is a callous way of living and a poem like this reminds us of their humanity. Thanks for entering this in our contest.
-
You are most welcome I am glad you enjoyed this look at life as it could be....
-
Thank you for this compassionate look at the other side of getting older. Our middle age angst is like a game compared to the realities that many people face. Thank you for entering our contest.
-
These people often have so much wisdom, they are rather like the fly on the wall, see but never be seen. I loved your expression wisdom smelling of Lilacs and Jasmine. So clever to have overridden bodily odors with something as refreshing as Lilac and Jasmine. I applaude you for your "Role Play" never an easy thing to do and I congratulate you on aquiring a new friend in the process Many thanks for your kind words, they are greatly appreciated
-
In 1989, I had to portray a bag lady in a play, who lived in a "refrigerator box". I always research my characters so, I dressed in character, went downtown, and became a "bag lady" for a day. I earned seven dollars, begging with a Starbucks coffee cup. I also encountered a real homeless lady named Jean. She was the real character, and taught me a few tricks while we hustled up money for food. She was one of the wisest women I have ever met. She smelled awful, but her wisdom was that of lillacs, and jasmine. This poem reminded me of that experience, and my friend, Jean. Thank you! Good luck with this wonderfully vivid poem.
-
Thank you, yes society seems to have left some of these proud people out in the cold. Not all are willing to be helped, but I am sure ways could be found to preserve their dignity. Many thanks for your kind words
-
A Very Heartfelt Poem
Wow this is so sad. It is ashame that we do not try and help these homeless people more then we do. Best of luck in the contest. Take care, Sandy -
Thanks for your comments Tina, Yes sadly I have to agree with you, often the money is available, but no-body to implement it's use. Perhaps your country is prepared to help these people but sadly my country will not even admit that they have people like I described. Says a lot for society
, May thanks for your words, they are appreciated
-
So many people feel the need to reach out and help "these people," yet they still remain unhelped.
It angers me that so many billions of dollars are made yet there are no programs available (at least no in my area) to help these people. And I am not talking soup kitchens. I'm talking programs to house and feed these people and to help them regain their lives.
Loved your descriptions. This is a well done piece.
-
Yes it happens some would rather starve than beg. Thank you for the kind comments, they were much appreciated
-
A touching poem which expresses well the aloneness of an outsider, moving on the hinterland of consumer society.
Some are there by choice, as cutiepie says; I once offered money to a clearly homeless, proud woman and was scornfully rejected. -
Thank you, for your review, it was very much appreciated
-
What an insight!
Thank you so much for giving us an insight into these lonely, forgotten lives. It's so easy to just see them and look past them, accepting them as a part of the scenery, and carrying on with our lives. What a different world it would be if people weren't so afraid to show a little kindness from time to time. nice work here! it read very well... and carried a powerful punch... -
Thank you so much for your kind words and also your kind thoughts
-
I have to agree with you regarding charity begins at home, but I also understand that some homeless people are there by choice, many are not and it's almost as if they have a stigma attached to them, so sadly people turn their backs on these unfortunate souls. I am grateful for your kind words , thank you
-
I liked this a lot - especially the last verse, which had a nice rhythm and rhyming scheme. I always have felt a need to reach out and help these lonely street people.
Best wishes,
Moses -
Thank you Renee for your kind words, yes it is so sad that this exists in this modern age, not just in America but world wide I appreciate all you kind reviews
-
Have you ever seen the movie Stone Pillow where Lucille Ball plays a bag lady? It is my all time favorite film.
I have spent my time living on the streets, and I learned that these people often have places they could be, but they don't want the responsibilities that come with them. Other times it is uncontrolable circumstances that hurl them onto the streets... and many of them are mentally ill. I don't know what the sollution is to the problem, but I think we should be taking care of our own, before we invade other countries and try to fix them.
Sorry... got off on a little tangent there. This was very well written, and I enjoyed it very much. Bless you for your social conscience.
-
yes it is a real shame that behind this land of milk and honey as it is portrayed in the media , exist so many lost souls that have NOT always gotten there by choice Your first few lines could not help but make me think of the stark contrast of the facial features of this old baglady and new grandbaby. I always love seeing a write that shows the sadder and forgotten side of America....it takes a caring person to write about that
Reenie
-
Thank you for the comments, they are greatly appreciated
-
Very nicely written, immediately brought a picture of her and her hardship to my mind's eye.
-
Thank you not only for the review, but for the kindness shown
to the guy in the street
-
Thank you so much for your review, it is much appreciated
-
9/10
Good work, original and we've all seen these people, its a shame there is such poverty no matter where you go. I was in town today and I saw a dude with dreadlocks sittin on a corner with a hat, it was empty and he look malnourished, I gave him a bit of money, poor bastard....anyways rambling now right?
Great write well written and pretty deep
Good Work (push) -
you said it
and well said at that!
indeed a most touching write
thankyou
ashes~
Adding your comment:
1 - 28 of 28
3 old applause
