This will be the 2032nd post on this blog, the blog and first poem here was November 3, 2006. Some posts at the start could be a photo but no poem, other writings instead.
(Photo courtesy Piqsels)
Do You Know Him
Man of the streets, nobody cares
Man who's wanting to be your friend
Man who's passing offers his hand
The hand is not taken by most
Invariably they keep distance
Some folk will even cross the street
There must be a problem with him
That's often what they are thinking
Others don't wish to be involved
A few will shake his hand and leave
There was a college student near
He became friends with our old man
Shakes his hand every time they crossed
Often brings some food, burger, sandwich
Money not, man was no begger
. . .
(Note: I was the college student. We developed quite a friendship. Then after three semesters I dropped out of college and went back home. I think of the man often but have never returned. )
. . .
- I am linked with Sherry Blue Sky at"What's Going on" with the title today of "BEING HUMAN". You can find her here, https://newwhatsgoingon.blogspot.com/
- At that address besides prompt material you can also find other writers click name to read what they have written after studying that same prompt material.
. . .
The link to find the prompt material and other writers works, click this link, https://newwhatsgoingon.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteJim here
The appearance of the college student in the poem and his action tugs at the heartstrings. Beautifully put.
ReplyDeleteThe unconditional kindness we humans show to complete strangers is the glory of humanity. The wholesale destruction of strangers each of whom is worth a thousand times more than the destroyer is the epitome of inhumanity...
ReplyDeleteI love how you focus on human kindness through this incident of the old man's hand!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nod, Jim. I am so glad you found us at What's Going On - you were one of our stalwarts at Poets United. And you have been blogging four years longer than I have. Glad we're still here. Smiles. I'll bet you made that man's day with your humanity, while others shied away. Glad you took him a sandwich sometimes.
ReplyDeleteJim, that was such a touching poem. You are definitely a special person to have befriended that man. I am sure you made his day by recognizing him as a worthy human. So glad you are posting with us at What's Going On?, Jim.
ReplyDeleteOh, you show your heart so many times in your work.
ReplyDeleteJim, I understand this in so many ways. Living on the margins is never easy, but it takes a great toll on seniors. If you ever have a chance, listen to a John Hiatt song called "Hello in There."
ReplyDeleteVery sweet. Susie
ReplyDeleteGood one, Jim!
ReplyDelete