Begging Is An Art

Inspired

its hard to miss her insistent stare
she often begs at a busy market square
holding a tarnished kind of bowl
aloud, she calls out to each soul

and what makes her so strange?
is her manner of pleading for spare change
in a demeanour so hard and haughty
she accosts the dumb and the literati

kind sir toss me a coin or two will you?
a note or a pound or a dollar will do
You look like a man with very fine ways
please please, do save your soul today

and to each passerby, it was the same
a request so repetitive, raw and lame
of her pushiness they've all had their fill
no subtlety or tact in her begging skill

so each man throws a penny her way
for her to step aside and just move away
so brazenly does she play her part
begging is begging, yet still such an art

and here is what she fails to understand
when for alms she does extend her hand
people like to give from a will of their own
not pressured into it in such public zones

whether it be to save some from starvation
or another's conscience from self-flagellation
charity nowadays needs clever marketing
it needs great work to be good at begging

Author's Note

;)

Thanks for looking in on this one

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

Back in the day I used to busk... I used to drum and sing under a bridge crossing I did it for fun but also the acoustics were grand and it was a good place to practise. on a good day it payed for a decent night at the bars:) the flip side of being the beggar is seeing the faces of the ones passing by how they reacted to my five gallon bucket seat bass drum and snare some people would occasionally come along and play there guitars violins or horns and the pool of players would grow and to see the passing faces that tried to not look at ours was interesting... I often pondered what they were thinking were they embarrassed? or just angry? did our presence feel an afrontory? but then others would stay and sing along or clap! its funny to be on the other side of begging:/ now days my busking years have gone I find myself tipping everyone the convenience store clerks the drug store cashiers the grocery workers everyone cause the need for help and appreciation is so great these days

[AJNJ]

Coming to know you in recent days, I have come to understand that you're a very kind and compassionate soul. The kinds that think about everyone before even themselves and I truly believe they're an asset to our society!

This poem was inspired by something I noticed in the past few years....a sharp contrast in what I observed abroad with what I witness daily back home. The people asking for charity in the West were most roadside singers and Ayers and some of them sang so beautifully, it was hard to believe they weren't professionals. I can just imagine you enthralling the public! That is the kind of Art in begging I was referring too. Back here, it is just pure insistence and crowding which gets vexing after a time. Something needs to be done to address this situation urgently.

Thanks a ton for sharing your thoughts dear sir. It means much!

[Miss Sharon]

(charity nowadays needs clever marketing it needs great work to be good at begging) I see them on most every corner begging for a small donation from passersby. In such an affluent society like ours it seems so sad to me that people find themselves in this sad state of affairs. I do of course realize that not everyone we see is truly that hard up, but if we give with a pure heart out of compassion, that is what will be rewarded. I like this post very much. ~Sharon

[AJNJ]

Thanks a ton Miss Sharon.

[Papaya]

Yes, I guess there's truth to that.
I guess desperation drives that pushiness a little.

[AJNJ]

Exactly my point! Thanks a ton, Ms. Ana!

[Papaya]

Welcome. :)

[Leona Lee]

It felt like I was on the corner
watching her. Great work!

[AJNJ]

Thank you very much :)

[Serene Star]

Tons of wit here
Yeah it seems this idea of charity has been tainted
Though i cry everytime any beggar comes up to me - on the spot
Misfortune is hard to see and get by -

The world should be free of poverty there is enough wealth to make that truth

Good write -

[AJNJ]

Thank you for the very kind review Serene Star.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Begging may be an art, but it is an art without dignity.
A creatively fashioned and cleverly written piece of work.

[AJNJ]

I fully agree and appreciate your view sir. Thank you sir.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I really liked this poem with its rhyming and useful message. Being a kind kitty I fall on the lenient side of the scale. Now since you have written this finally, will you please stop sending me RRs. Its cumbersome and also a kind of begging. See you around.

[AJNJ]

I'll stalk you till i get my own cat, Ms. Kat. Jokes aside, RRs are sent only to a special few. If you ask me to delete you from that list, I'd be heartbroken.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I was just joking :)))))))

[John the Baptist]

Fresh, unique rhymes in an aabb rhyme scheme which has a consistent meter. Add some storytelling and philosophy and you have an excellent offering. Well done.

[AJNJ]

Thanks a lot for your kind and encouraging review sir!

[Dave Brown]

Very very well written piece about what has become a problem much more than a necessity.
We are a bit of a destination and we attract many of the good and bad.
Covid stayaway has dramatically reduced all types of traffic with begging taking a huge hit.
Instead the shelters and meal assist locations are constantly packed to the hilt.
From blatant 'give me money (usually for drugs) ' to playing instruments, it is all a sad reflection of society's stretch from filthy rich to abject depressing poverty
Ain't life grand

[AJNJ]

Some of them make beautiful music and I always stop by and listen, give something. At other times, its vexing. Thank you my friend. Yes, I agree, life isn't grand and certainly not fair.

[gram linski]

having been on the wrong side of this poem, Mr P, those on the streets will do anything to survive, regardless of others sensibilities, especially if they have a job and money and a home, begging is not an art it is a hard f*****g life, try it some time,

[AJNJ]

Thanks for your review sir. I totally understand your feelings. Sorry, if I have hurt yours. I tender my sincere apologies. I get you totally.

[gram linski]

"There, but for the Grace of God, go I"
John Bradford

[AJNJ]

All of us sir...but for the grace of God...
Thanks for the words :)

[Chris Shaw]

Many beggars were active in our town until about nine months ago. It had got so bad that the council stepped in because people felt intimidated by them when they went shopping. My young grandchildren were actively approached and asked for money, even when they were in the queue in McDonald's. This was before they had their own income and only got pocket money. I don't give to beggars. Many of them in our town were professional. I do stop and talk to those who are quietly sitting there reading, drawing or who offer a good morning. You can soon find out who is genuine and who isn't. I watched a programme on TV not so long ago about professional beggars and just how much income they were raking in. Some people have really bad luck and lose their homes through no fault of their own. Others have addictions and need help. You are so right, people want to give because they do so by choice, not because they are hounded into giving. Your poem tells a story and is written with great flair. You convey this tale with skill. Well done Pestonjee. You never disappoint.

Chris

[AJNJ]

I'm delighted to read your kind and thoughtful words this morning, dear Ms. Chris. I am grateful you understand how overwhelming this experience can be at times. Professional beggars control little children in the third world and it's so cruel and ruthless. I despair and still give. Yet, what's infuriating is that at times, it is not appreciated and I am even cursed and derided for it. This poem was inspired by such assertive mendicants.

I appreciate that the motivation for begging is different in the first world and the third world. While it is to mostly support addictions there, its rampant poverty plus addictions here. One just has to use their good judgement and act accordingly.

I appreciate the breathtaking music and singing of many street people in your country. Now whatever their motivation, some of them they have certainly turned it into an Art :)

Thanks a ton and more for such a kind and thoughtful review.

[Chris Shaw]

I do appreciate that in the third world people are begging because they are hungry and that would be very difficult to ignore. My thoughts relate more to what I have experienced in the UK.

[AJNJ]

Indeed Ms. Chris, yet at the same time as in the UK, all are not always genuine. As you underlined here, its becoming more of a business nowadays. We have lots of common grounds here. I appreciate your thoughts totally.