STUCK

Drifter, melancholy

STUCK

My melancholy, dark indigo blue
sit for days, kinky head
some throw me coins
my hoodie conceals me
now I am obscure

long to cower out of my darkness
I have time
to wonder about the cosmos
dream of sun's bright light
rose's scent, salty sea, moon's smile

yet most often I salivate
for a medium-rare hamburger

Author's Note

This poem was originally 21 words; it has been edited.

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

Plus 14 makes 35. Starts so powerful then your last stanza brings it crashing to simple reality. Many moons ago in an episode of homelessness I remember waiting on a bench for the sun to rise and the warmth that washed over me after an autumn cold night is something I'll never forget. Or the meal a restaurant guy surprised me with as I hid from the rain in his outdoor seating. Your poem spoke to me and surprised me. You touched my deep memories.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much WMR... most appreciated... yes I did indeed want to bring it back to reality.
Best, B

[Patricia]

It’s heartbreaking and the problem is the worst I have ever seen. We help with what we can but it’s never going to be enough with as many homeless there are now thanks to Covid. We can enlighten through our poetry as you have brilliantly done here my friend. Great piece of writing!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you my dear friend P... always appreciated.
PS... winter storm tomorrow, foot of snow, may not have power...I'll build a snowman!!! hugs me

[Patricia]

stay safe in that snow but glad you are seeing some. We got a little but nothing to brag about mostly freezing temps that make things a bit scary on the roads. Illinois is so unpredictable so who knows what could happen day to day. Don't forget to name your snowman!

[Chris Shaw]

When you've got nothing a decent hamburger can make all the difference. We have so many now who are homeless,. When you are hungry, your focus will be on nothing but food. A good piece of brevity here Betty.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Chris; Yes the focus is on food. pitiful.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Food and shelter, yet so many don't even have the basics Betty:(

[Dave Brown]

Next to the puppy dog, the hamburger has to rate among man's greater inventions.
That Earl almost had it right!
Hoody or no, A@W, in my estimation, makes quite a decent teen burger, especially when you are crashing home at the end of a long day too tired to even pry open a box of raisin bran.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Dave, always appreciated.
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

Thought we were about to get some heavy philosophy from this guy for a moment, yet most of his musings concern a medium rare hamburger. In the end, the basics always prevail.

[Betty Hermelee]

That's it! When you're down and out food is all consuming!! Thanks John for your insightful review! Best,
B.
B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

As a lover of hamburgers I empathize with the narrator of this piece. As long as they are not of the mind to dip French fries into a cup of mayonnaise.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Carlos for your humorous review, I didn't want this to be too maudlin....
Best,
read moreThank you Carlos for your humorous review, I didn't want this to be too maudlin....
Best,
B

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Just for a few coins, the hunger might be sated.
Lots of time to wonder when waiting for the next small handout to help survive.
It is terribly embarrassing for so many who have to live on the streets.
Not what they want, but what they got.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you J for a fine review.
Best,
B.