"Teddy Bear..." Poem

Returned in memory

I've walked the streets
of so many places -
round the world

and just around your corner
too.

and all the thrown-away people
wandering by...

wandering

being what they are -
its all they have now.

Ever really wonder
just
how many paychecks you are
from being a 'them' too?

I remember reading
a Washington Post obit
of a Vet that died
sleeping on a sidewalk vent -
downtown DC, the night before...

same day I finally visited 'The Wall'.

I always wondered why -
they didn't add his name...

he gave it all
in the end.

Being outside -
you WANT oversize shoes
for the extra socks, ya know?

People have reasons,
not always excuses -
for being where they are
when they are
as they are...

and because they ARE people
they ARE worth listening to...

"Teddy Bear..." was a 'minute', just another cold-day-
in-hell, Philadelphia... it had snowed the night before.

"Teddy Bear..."

Shuffle a bit,
keepin' warm...
move, stop, move again.

Look at the pretties -
"...nice pretties...",
ice sparkles so - see?

So slowly reach,
softly touch - touch -
trace the smooth melting curves -

breathe,
look closer - am cold,
move again.

Hates shadows,
lives in shadows,
is a shadow...

I can see, I can...
all the eyes that look away,
that just pass by.

I watch them scurry,
so busy doing...
what?

I don't know but
they do - they must
cause they're busy.

I was busy,
can be busy,
look... see?

I was...

Am hungry...
no matter - eat tomorrow,
yeah, tomorrows good,

a sunny day,
...warm sunny day -
no shadows tomorrow,
hates shadows.

Am cold,
move again - breathe.
I was them...
was.

Listens to my heartbeat,
is the voice I know best.

Its still there... damn,
wish it wasn't.

Maybe tomorrow...
yeah, tomorrow's good,

a sunny day -
hates the shadows.

I had a teddy bear too...
somewhere, somewhen,
I did... really.

I remember...
wish I didn't - remember.

Maybe tomorrow -
yeah, maybe tomorrow
that'll be gone too.

Chris

Author's Note

Say as you will - feel free

I added THIS after posting... sometimes I really just want to speak and wish this had a realtime component so a conversation could flow... sigh

"Teddy Bear" is not about shame or embarrasment or making a person feel bad or less than they were in any way... Its about being aware of BOTH sides of the human coin and our humanity. Its about having and knowing neighbors, not judging appearances.

We need to take off the 'blinders' and SEE the world we live within. Maybe then the anger we have because of all the fear we hide inside will lessen. People don't want pity and we all KNOW there IS no FREE Lunch... but - we all had a "Teddy Bear" (of sorts) when we were little - ya know? It helps if we remember that.

Chris

Returned to for the memory of its thought.

Reviews

[Jack Isaac]

Tomorrow promises an answer, yes it always does. Jim owned a business that turned profits of over 2 million a year, then it went under, rapidly, and before he knew it, he was sleeping under a bridge. He'd ask passers-by for a dollar, but they only gave him strange looks... knowing... just always knowing what he would do with it... and how that would only further his demise. It was forever assumed the best thing to do for Jim was leave him to his own devices... to his own demise. Tomorrow forever promised Jim there was nothing to be thankful for, except the bridge was better than behind a dumpster, he was thankful for that. He didn't smoke or drink or do drugs, yet everyone assumed he did, so it really didn't matter whether he did or not. It takes a trained eye to recognize someone like Jim, and yes he was recognized, and he's back on his feet again. Makes me wonder though, why does it take a trained eye? And... why are eyes so hard to train? Chris, you wrote a poem here that makes me think and imakes me remember, that's what it's all about. Nice work.

[Laughing-Bear]

My Dear Writing Friend,
An excellent write about the them’s that most of the world tries to not see. I posted a poem titled “Broken Toy” that touches on the fact that the Them’s, the Broken Toys desire love just like the Us’s do. Thank you for writing a poem that brings to our attention the fact that all people have need and are important. It gladdens my spirit to know there are other writers that have eyes to see and a soul that cares.

Blessings, Laughing-Bear

[Emily B]

you heard the words they didn't say, and put them all together so we could hear the words we needed to, no pity, no feeling sorry for, just what is

[Audrey Howitt]

Chris, I am so glad you posted this! Bravo!

[Kenneth The Poet]

Deep stuff.

[Niki Wilson]

This makes meh think that I am that teddy bear.. wonder why.. But still- great poem I must admit!

[Lily Mae]

My town is so ashamed that they converted the old wooded area by the old State Hospital into a little homeless village so no one has to see..
once a week I take cases of bottled water and walk it in for them and visit for a bit and have never felt unsafe.. They would all protect me I think at this point.. I'm humbled by their God like stares..the emptiness in their eyes speaks words to my soul that are deep and unfathomable..
I find peace in those woods and when I walk out.. I'm hit with the harsh reality of the world that hides these gems from sight..
This obviously is an amazing write Chris.. it's provoked good deep thinking in many of us here.. Thank you..xx

[Judy Ponceby]

Brilliant!! You captured the voice, the wandering of his mind. What an excellent presentation on this difficult subject so many refuse to SEE. And always I think to myself, there but for the Grace of God go I.

[Larry Dyson]

the south here in the gulf coast of texas is the home of so many during the cold times and a lot of the hot and warm times...they sleep in the woods and under bridges and eat where they can....we make bedrolls for them from discarded clothes , fabric, and use heavy clothes to line them with...we hand them out where needed...lots of soup kitchens ..and lots of attacks...from the ones unmedicated....it is a ongoing dialogue with Me and helper mates here...I try never to invade their space ..but be "around" if If needed....

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Gave me chills Chris. I am from downtown Atlanta and I saw many walking around with their minds gone and I too learned fast not to look them in the eye. I feel shame for this.......