A Letter to the Boy On the Street

Your shorts are too big for you,

You have scabs on your knees.

I can count the ribs under your bare, brown chest.

Dirty black hair and dark, hopeless eyes.

There are glue stains on your mouth,

The ground you rest on is crumbled stone.

Under a crumbling building, those are common here.

 

I hear a whimper, needy and sad.

A small, white dog, huddles next to you.

Cowering from the November cold,

He is fatter than you.

You hold him close, protecting him from my glance.

 

Cracked gray buildings, under a cracked, gray sky,

Streaked with warfare.

The gray is the color of bars in a jail cell

But the hills are luscious and green,

Surrounding the city in a tight embrace.

The mountains are covered in soft, white snow.

And the oceans stretch an endless blue.

The countryside is quiet and simple,

Everyone greets everyone, with a kiss on the cheek.

 

But there's a boy in this city, no older than 12.

40 pesos I give you and patacones I buy for you,

Wrapped in a paper towel.

Your grubby hands are quick and covetous,

In your eyes I see your "thank you"

I know it will be more for your dog than for you,

His wet black eyes sparkle up at me.

I see a smile growing on your face.

Your teeth look brittle, but your eyes are bright,

As you nod a happy thanks in my direction.

 

They won't change the world, my 40 pesos and patacones,

But they make a difference to you.

Reviews

[Marie Anzalone]

The first and most important act of compassion is seeing, and you have nailed that. Details matter. Looking into eyes matters. Seeing a human being and not a thing to be dismissed, matters. It is as simple as this: when we see, we are moved to act. Even in small ways. Thanks for helping others see too.

[.......]

alot of emotion in this write,
very nicely done.

[An owl on the moon]

There is a vivid imagery and emotion you share with us in your poetry.. and here these last lines move on with a powerful truth.. What we do may not change the world, but it may be just what is needed to change a life.

[AngelAfterlife]

made me cry! love it

[Lorraine]

Oh if only said boys can read this poem, they'd know that surely in someways they are still appreciated in this world. I like best your description of the boy, I say it's very vivid and of course, I like the doggy part of it too. This is well crafted and meaningful. Good Job.

Keep Writing. ^__^

[PadfootBlack]

Powerful and beautiful. This is a great piece of work. I love it, and couldn't think of one negative thing to say about it even if my life depended on it.

[Epic Destruction 911]

The last line,is a typo for world, rightt?
Other than that,very heartfelt;I enjoyed the read :)

[Miss Coral]

Incredible imagery and beautiful piece. The only thing I found that I think should be changed was word to world in the last couplet. Overall, perfect. c:

[Orlando Murcia]

Very touching and Beautiful

Great work sweetheart!