Glass sandwiches

Glass sandwiches

A Poem by alternative_be
"

Poem to be entered in the homeless contest. Since I happen to live in one of Europe's beercountries', beer is awfully cheap to come by and for some homeless it completely replaces... food! Hence the consequences for the character in my poem.

"

 

Glass sandwiches
 
Glass sandwiches for breakfast
Glass sandwiches for lunch
For dinner too …
 
Every morning at nine sharp
The supermarket door opening
Sounds like a harp
 
Music to your ears
A 24 – pack of half liter lagers
Takes away your fears
 
Getting back to your bench
Under the writer’s statue
For you have some reading to do
 
In yesterday’s paper
Now as a blanket disposed
You take the first can out of the packet
 
You do not want to make a racket
The beer will take away your pain
Though will not provide any gain
 
You go back to sleep
Even before noon
The opening of your eyes will not keep
 
At noon, by the pigeon’s
Sounds you wake
16 cans still to take
 
To get you through the day
To keep the pain away
After lunch, still 8 to go
 
Passers by come and go
Staring at the symbiosis between man and statue
Maybe the man is just asleep?
 
Oh, for he is there everyday
Of the week
He surely will keep
 
At dinner, when the rain
And upcoming pain
Still bring no gain
 
No more glass sandwiches today
Suddenly your body stops
As do the nearby clocks
 
Your time has come
To say goodbye to the statue
The bench, the pigeon, the rain
 
Glass sandwiches
Took away your pain
But brought no gain
 
The passers by of the next morning
Notice a familiar figure gone
With the wind
 
At your wake
No cake
No passers by
 
Only the priest
Understands the importance
Of the yeast
 
 

© 2008 alternative_be


Author's Note

alternative_be
In my country pints of beer are often referred to as 'glass sandwiches'

My Review

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Featured Review

Wow, very good poem. Though I have to say, I interpret that last line differently than Tony, the featured review. I interpreted it to mean that the problem of the glass sandwiches that "Took away your pain/
But brought no gain" is not just a 'poor man's problem' but as spreading to affect even the clergy. The poem makes one wonder which came first in the main character's life, the cheap alcohol or the abject poverty?


Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

A very well written poem, a very serious subject. Thank you for sharing. Debileah

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Wow

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Wow. I've never actually read a poem such as this one. It's amazing as to what alcohol can do to the human body. Exactly why it's better to stay at home and not get carried away with it. Great writing.

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

wow that was a very great writethanks for shareing sista love ya

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Ah yes- we call them liquid lunches lol- but sadly if this is the staple of your diet, it does tend to take over, as addictions are very insistent on doing.

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

The title of this poem is appropriately named, and I like the story you told about the homeless man. You were able to evoke emotions in the readers with this piece, and your desciptions were very good. Thank you for sharing your writing on The Cafe. Best wishes.

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Wow, very good poem. Though I have to say, I interpret that last line differently than Tony, the featured review. I interpreted it to mean that the problem of the glass sandwiches that "Took away your pain/
But brought no gain" is not just a 'poor man's problem' but as spreading to affect even the clergy. The poem makes one wonder which came first in the main character's life, the cheap alcohol or the abject poverty?


Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

A wonderfully written piece. I also really liked the last line. I like the reference to the pints of beer as 'glass sandwiches.' That makes the poem very unique. It is a very emotional piece that I can relate to as a struggling addict. Great writing!

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

A terrible fate indeed. To only be remembered as that guy who we saw under the statue...to be walked by and people only hope you're sleeping, not bothering to check. To only have a priest at your funeral. Thanks for sharing this piece with all of us.

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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Added on June 8, 2008
Last Updated on June 9, 2008

Author

alternative_be
alternative_be

Somewhere in the country ..., Belgium



About
Dear all, I'm a 46 year old woman living in Europe. My passions are: reading, writing, poetry, blogging, languages, nature, walking, making friends. Curious? Who am I? You can read it all in th.. more..

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