My Dusty Soul

Their mother dreamed of better things for her little girls in this life She wanted more, than to be poor as an abusers little wife

I traveled west to the sunset

where the desert begins to roast

the heat baked down, on every town

across the plain onto the coast

I came upon an old Buick

a woman two children in curls

Their dreams stranded, their car branded

a look of sorrow on the girls

 

I pulled my pickup in behind

walked to the window said "hello"

Offered a ride, "its cool inside

come with me and we'll find a tow"

At first they wouldn't come along

choosing instead to stay and bake

"We'll have to stay, cause I can't pay

I think this trip was a mistake"

 

 

The girls were all of ten years old

their pain had tested their belief

Innocent pawns, of sun-baked bronze

whose pleading eyes begged for relief

I saw in them the Grapes of Wrath

headed west on little money

relief from strife, a better life

in the land of milk and honey

 

I took them ten miles down the road

an oasis like a mirage

A bit of luck, found a tow truck

had the car towed to the garage

We shared a lunch that afternoon

their radiator was repaired

I'd eased their trials, restored their smiles

it felt good to know I had cared.

 

Their mother dreamed of better things

for her little girls in this life

She wanted more, than to live poor

as an abusers little wife

 I never gave the girl my name

fighting against my vanity

Theirs was a goal, that saved my soul

sharing with them humanity

Author's Note

It was 1998. I was crossing the western dessert to the coast. I remember this woman and her two little girls. How scared they were to be on the road alone and broke down. The sun was so relentless that day. I was on a trip to southern California to deliver a box to the docks. I had a hard time convincing them to go with me. I paid the mechanic to fix the car and gave the woman money for gas. The little girls so like my own. The mechanic brought their car around. The girls were drinking pop on the bench outside the diner, awash in smiles as I drove off toward the setting sun. I know they thought that I had been a godsend. What they didn't know was that they had given me much more than I did them. I found my thoughts drifting back to my own children and thinking of how blessed I was.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I liked this. We just never know when or where we are going to need a helping hand so it's always good to lend one when we can. These days folks are just as scared someone trying to help might be a mass murdering lunatic. When I was a kid I remember waving at complete strangers driving down the road and they waved back. We left our doors unlocked at night and kids could go out walking alone without fear. The world gets a little crazier every day I think. Great piece here Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Fabian always a treasure to see you here. You lend a lot of class to this place. I know the world has changed. However I refuse to go through life afraid. thank you

[Rishabh Shaw]

p.s. i liked your pic even more

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you

[Rishabh Shaw]

that was a good thing tate, i really appreciate what you did. nice work pal..

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you. I have been broken down many times ,And once in the desert, There I met a man whose physical and character strength literally saved my life.

[Rishabh Shaw]

its the strong in us which rises again and again,like a resilient guy always does... good to see your will power at those times..

[Tate Morgan]

Well any man would have done the same.It was a no brainer.Who could leave a woman and two little children behind?

[Keith]

Great story beautifully told. I love your style, this poem flows extremely well. I also enjoy reading stories about the struggles and triumphs of everyday people that we can relate to in our time.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you This was written to honor my best friend here at the cafe David Lewis Paget.He uses this meter on his narrative poetry,.

[carol burgess romance]

I can picture that mom and kids in the hot car worried.....great write

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Carol

[Broken.Words]

nice write :)
honestly, I enjoyed it :)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you

[Dr. Wood ?]

Do as you would be done by is the way My Father brought me up...This was a very poignant tale my friend, told in your usual easy style and the message rings true

[Tate Morgan]

It is the way we all should live and feel about our neighbors

[Angi]

I just watched a documentary on the dust bowl and 'The Grapes of Wrath' is one of my top shelf books. I love how you told a modern day tale woven with threads from the past. Lovely to read, Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you Angi

[J. Hampton]

A nice feel good write...
I've been on both sides of that
You've told it well
" humanity" ...is still politically correct
At all times

[Tate Morgan]

thank you

[ms. barrie]

Tate, wonderful, enlightening, eloquently written poem you have here. words of wisdom, lessons we should all take into account. amazing story-telling, very poignant write. brilliantly penned :) - thanks for sharing!

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Barrie Thank you so much I havent been on much Just worn out lately

[ms. barrie]

i understand completely, been busy editing and not all here either, having a rough week, myself, and you're quite welcome, Tate...take care :)