Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign



"Will work for food
Please help
God bless
Homeless vet"

I haven't walked
your path
or seen your pain
felt your despair
or hunger, loss, struggle

But I know Someone
who has
He told me,
Unto the least of these..”

I extend my hand,
with coins and a smile
God bless you!”
And feel good
for a while

But it's not a solution
or substitute
for a real revolution
Society must change
Or the cycle will continue
No absolution.

I'm participating in another prompt with the wonderful writers at One Shot Poetry.  Topic: homelessness.  If you want to join us, check out the photo prompts as well.

10 comments:

Ellen aka Ellie said...

This reminds me of a Matthew West song, "My Own Little World." Always, thanks for the reminder.

Amanda Lee said...

I live this every single time I walk out the door. How I wish people would not give their change. It just enables the sign holder to continue making their self-destructive choices. There is always someone willing to dig into their purse or wallet -- as your poem says, it makes the giver feel good. Sadly, it only harms the receiver in the long run.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Very well written, Tina! What truth! Tending to the needs of one is a start, but we need a concerted effort and more help from the government.

We need to make fishers of men instead of providing fish. That takes manpower and other resources.

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
One Photo said...

This is a tough topic. Where we live now we do not see the homeless on the streets but when I lived in the heart of Dublin I got to see plenty, many of them young disturbed people who need help that goes far beyond money, which is not what led them there to begin with. A great poem Tina, I think you sum this up perfectly.

Brian Miller said...

great take on the prompt tina...esp this time of year they become more visible, not that we see them always, but...what can be done to change the cycle, i wonder...

Anonymous said...

Why is it we only "care" before Christmas. This attitude we have of ignorance is bliss really makes me mad.

Lovely written dsitty here Tina, gentle but haunting.

Thanks for sharing

H said...

Very well written and absolutely true.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

lovely poem.

fastrekey.com said...

Your posts are great. Please continue this great work. Cheers!!