Four euro and seventy eight cents

Met a homeless man on the street today in the rain. I gave him E4.78 in change. He gave me a dose of cop on.

He sat to the side like a discarded Christmas present,

Asking for a few cents from passing strangers;

Who ignored him and walked right by,

 including I.

Yet….his words registered as I turned the corner;

Is he really wishing us all a Merry Christmas?

Even though we are blind to his plight.

 

I have to go back now…..

Back to the only human being I have met recently

Who is not devoid of human kindness…..

 

His jacket is torn, he sits in a puddle in the rain,

And his cup is half empty… yet to him maybe half full.

 

I am so ashamed of myself and my selfish nation…..

I give him money and he wishes me Good tidings.

 

I wish him a Merry Christmas… Really wish him it.

And I walk away

My heart a bit brighter. 

Reviews

[Winslow Des Totes]

It's always pleasing to me to know there are still good people left in the world. Kudos to you for being one of few! This piece made me smile and spoke volumes in how we view those less fortunate; who though needy still offer a kind word and a chance to be made better by sharing what little we have to make the world a brighter place for us all. On behalf of everyone who's ever been down so low to rely on the kindness of strangers: thank you!

[Stanley King]

A VERY well constructed piece! You put heart and soul into every word...Bravo, Shellie!!

[Chris]

The cost of having a conscience IS having a conscience.

For the action - well done, for the poem - it spoke well being read aloud.

Welcome to WC

[Henryglass]

That's reassuringly beautiful. Thanks for writing this beautiful piece of light.

[David]

A dose of cop on,love it.In all honesty I just love that it's not a miserable moan or a lament for the lost countryside.Hard to find any writing that's relevant,fair play.xP

[KAREN]

Beautiful, touches the heart!

[kelvin]

It sometimes take ones with kindness and compassion in their heart to see pass selfishness and give a little to help someone in their time of need its very hard to do this but its a shame when more things like this is looked over and accepted as an everyday thing in life and not disturbing that a fellow human is out in the streets no roof no food to eat with no life's worth, when theirs millions of trillions just a countless amount of dollars flowing through everyday living in the world for just for one person to take the time to help someone with a half cup full of change is a act of kindness making both parties have an uplift I could go on and on about this but I have rambled enough so as always keep writing fellow writer very nice read here. for you could have kept walking and maybe even said what you should have done but instead you took the time to turn back and do what you felt was right, mighty bighearted of you and bless you for your act of kindness.

[Frieda P]

The gift of giving, beautifully penned.

[Butch Decatoria]

OMG is all i can say. awesome work.

[zainul]

I am really ashamed of myself for being so selfish.
I adore your wonderful gesture of kindness to the human who sat to the side like a discarded Christmas present.
You will not be impoverished by the loss(!) of E4.78. But,it will make him a king for few moments.
Congratulations!!!
Added to reading and favorite lists.
100/100