Roofless

Roofless

Incommensurable conditions

without shelter nor food,

frigid chill deep within

a haphazard zipperless parka

down feathers withered ages ago,

trembling in the frost sans fire

hoping in the very least

for a steaming hot cuppa,

sole thing affordable is nostalgia

if even that, dauntingly recalling a time when - -

snowflakes were still charming

Reviews

[Inject Positivity]

They always remind of how fortunate I am, in those days of shivering coldness they sit around the lonely corners of the street waiting for the winter days to pass... Your poem reflects the painful situations those innocent people have to deal with each and every year... The whole poem contains deep emotional thoughts... A very good write frnd... The picture is pretty accurate for the poem...

Sincerely
Dhiman

[1VJ]

Thanks for your thoughts Dhiman.

[Barbara Walker]

I've been in those circumstances, though the climate was not as severe as snow. So cold, I felt like I would never warm up again. A cuppa was priceless! Reading this brings back memories and gives a boost for my thankfulness to have that roof now.

[1VJ]

Sorry to hear, glad you're not in that situation any longer. Thanks for your thoughts.

[An owl on the moon]

So powerful, and painfully revealing. How often we complain of simple things we don't have, yet we do not suffer such desperation as this. May we be always ready to reach out to those in need.

[1VJ]

Would be nice if everyone did so, thanks C.

[Lyn Anderson]

Hard to imagine, but you took us there.

[1VJ]

Glad you felt it, thanks so much.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very sad poem. Many have fell and they give-up. We need more kindness, concern and love for each other. Thank you dear Paloma for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[1VJ]

Unfortunately, all too true for many. Thanks again Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

Will get worst. USA like to hide their poor and homeless.

[Neville]

You have taken a subject very dear to my own heart (I previously held regular clinics for homeless people over a period exceeding ten years in central England).... These words of yours are most apt and succinctly sum up some of the feelings of hopelessness that far too many folk in such circumstances experience...An excellent write, thanks for making it available here........N

[1VJ]

You're a good man, thanks Neville.

[Neville]

My pleasure entirely

[NeiL ArandA]

Amid the glistening city glows and dipping light post of park and street avenues a shadowy figure emerges. Their silhouette indestinguishable as they huddle thinly to little clothing they have on themselves while heart's of people who walks with affluent smile looks the other way. These vagrant souls stares in ebbing coldness of cascading winter frost rain for a warm hearts to stop to offer them their change for a warm meal but trod as they go.

I prefer to look at the postcard but dare not venture farther into the dark alleys of marginalized world whose after glow failed to meet the expectation of a productive and fast moving society. If we could only freeze the time and thawed it back to where everything where once simple and less complicated. Someone would certainly surmise.

Life in this fast pace place and culture that never sleeps will certainly overtake you. Then turn that snow flakes beauty that once a symbol of family traditions which once warms our home into a bitter cold to shrug off and a hard pill to swallow even when flushed by a hot steaming cuppa... Splendid writing Ms Paloma. You have a special way in weaving with words.

[1VJ]

Thanks for your in-depth review Neil, much appreciated.

[Philip Muls]

This could be about the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Syria and being stranded near the borders of Europe. But then again, they do not know about snow...

[1VJ]

I suppose it could be equated to any human midst strife, thanks Philip.

[J. K. Beach]

I think that anyone who finds themselves "roofless" is surprised that they actually are in that condition (even after a long while being homeless). We have no basis for comparing the old life to the new, and probably never get used to it--let alone comfortable in it. (There, about fifty words to describe what you so elegantly captured in a single two word opening line.)

The last line needs little exegesis, but is just as impressive as the first line. The lines in between effectively explain the initial thought and set up the final wonderfully heart piercing thought.

I wonder how many of life's comforts and little moments our roofless ones must find no longer as sweet. Thank you for making me think about this in a new way... well done!

[1VJ]

Thanks again J.K. I truly appreciate your thoughts here!

[Drcicarlo]

Your painful endeavors create such a realistic, bleeding picture. Down to the detail when you expressed the need for nourishment. This is so powerful and you did a fantastic job on writing this. It breaks my heart to see people in those deplorable conditions. Thank you for sharing.

[1VJ]

Thanks so much for your kind review Erica.