Empty pews and cold stone walls

The plight of the homeless

A stranger stood, he read a prayer
it echoed loud and clear,
off empty pews and cold stone walls,
there was no one there to hear.
For he that lay in a paupers cask
had neither kith nor kin,
had lived a sad and lonely life
battling demons deep within.
All had washed their hands of him,
of him and many more,
no compassion, empathy or love
no welcome mat at any door.
And when they found his frozen corpse
not a single tear was shed,
they zipped him in a plastic bag
just another one now dead...

A stranger stood, he read a prayer
it echoed loud and clear,
off empty pews and cold stone walls,
there was no one there to hear...

Reviews

[M. J. Smith]

The last ride for too many drifters... My flute has played taps more then one. Always sad.

[Gee]

Thank you MJS

[lightsong]

Gosh! dear Gee! I know You to be a loving husband and father, PLEASE write more happiness :< that's so sad... so sad, unfortunately true. Thank You for your compassionate heart, for giving voice for those who doesn't have it. Bless You dear Gee ❤️

[lightsong]

I just noticed that You are Gee, my real name is Ghounwah and some call me G for shorten, so wow from G to Gee Thank You :>

[Gee]

Hi G, my name is Gordon but folk call me Gee, if we were married they would call us horse 🐎...gee gee :)
Thank you for the review😎
Sadness makes for better writing I think !

[lightsong]

I love HORSES gee gee🙃... Thank YOU for the smile 😆

[T.S. Ulmus]

This made my hair stand on end, what a great write! The repetition of the opening stanza was really powerful. I deal with many homeless people and and the thought of empty funerals is quite moving.

[Gee]

Thank you..

[Papaya]

This is so sad indeed. On so many levels.
Those inner demons scare everyone away, no one should die this way.

[Gee]

Hi Ana, tis very sad indeed.
Thank you

[Pete]

the silent soldiers. poignant. we're all the same whether we wish to acknowledge or not. life has a way of humbling and mustn't forget that or stop caring ever. a little respect goes a long way ... :)

[Gee]

Indeed it does Pete.
Thank you

[Paul Bell]

Summed up the homeless perfectly, and when this coronavirus really hits Britain, the homeless will be so far back in the queue they probably won't even merit a prayer.

[Gee]

Aye, they'll be finding dead bodies in public places...

[Gee]

Thank you Paul

[Sharda]

Very nicely written. This poetry has a meter and a sense of rhyme.
It also speaks with emotion. Beautifully written

[Gee]

Thank you Sharda

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Indeed, this is a reality across the globe, touching and without fear, well done, good read.

[Gee]

Thank you Thomas

[Dave Brown]

This reflects the rise of homeless camps and the number of challenged that now are a very common site.
A touching write

[Gee]

Thank you Dave