"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

[Kat Collins]

Heartbreaking in its reality. How many of us have walked on by, passing them on the streets, the corners, the alleys, the underbrush, and never even a nod? We are them and they are us...we belong where they are and they belong where we are. The price they paid for freedom for their country? A little ironic if you ask me...our country is "free" yet they wander the dark streets searching for bread to settle their rumbling stomachs, clothes from garbage cans to protect themselves, a simple two coins to rub together, avoiding the darkness and shadows with reminders of their war...we should be ashamed of our freedom. We don't deserve it.

[Liza]

the hunger changes us; the inner animals takes over when our bellies, heart and mind starve as we purge and binge on keeping ourselves full with physical needs - though teddy bears are the comforts and source of warmth; we long for more....our values seem to come down to the monetary figure we can hoard or produce; it's a sad reality.

[nothingnothingforgetfor..]

A crystal clear vision formed in my mind as it all unfolded before my very ices. This is exceptional imagery and just sucks your heart and mind right in, emotions bounding through you and shocks ripple over your skin. This is the effect this piece on me sir, and it was some of the most powerful pieces I have ever read. Absolutely marvellous.