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

[sharonlee]

A deed performed that day... one that probably had far-reaching effects. Nicely shared.

[Tate Morgan]

hi sharonlee You always leave me smiling

[realmwriter]

Nicely done as always Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

thanks man Hope California is treating you well

[realmwriter]

Not to bad at all actually gonna be in a place by the weekend, so im doin better...!

[Tate Morgan]

Good for you. I hope someday you will look back and take strength from the trials that have been your life with admiration for the trials you survived

[realmwriter]

I have already and I am sure I will continue to. Thank You...!

[Tate Morgan]

You are a good man and that will sustain you .
So small the pain of his distress

whose earnings don't tell of his worth

An honest man, this life will bless

no matter his fortunes at birth

[realmwriter]

Thank You my friend, it means a lot...!

[lee von cleef]

Thoughts , drift I too..

[Tate Morgan]

Lee so nice to hear from you. I hope your doing ok today

[Seashell]

what a lovely thing to do...one always feels so good yet humbled after doing suchlikes.
I find there is nothing quite like helping another human whether it be physically, mentally or simply by just being there for them.
Beautifully written
They will never forget you
xx

[Tate Morgan]

Hi Babs I miss you lately thanks

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

A wonderful piece Tate, hope you are well.

[Tate Morgan]

Neva hi dear thank you New house new life new hope

[Baby Ricochet]

Spread kindness, not bullets. Beautiful poem Tate with a beautiful message. outstanding work sir

[Tate Morgan]

ric how are you buddy? Thanks

[Marie]

A wonderful story. I think you did exactly the right ting. Spread kindness and it will spread.

[Tate Morgan]

thank you Marie.I often wonder what happened to them. I hope they are happy.

[Marie]

You can't make people happy. You can help them and move on.

[Stella Armour]

oh yes Tate , the glow we get from making another person happy is so rewarding, i would think that this woman will remember your kindness for the rest of her life,your poem almost reads like a song it is so beautifully rhythmic...

[Tate Morgan]

It made my day i remember. I smiled all afternoon that day.

[Stella Armour]

you deserved to....:o)

[Tate Morgan]

there is something magical in the smile of a child.They looked at me as a man whose strength would save them.I tried to not disappoint them.Not all men are bad Not all men are good. But circumstances being what they were I thought so far from my own home it would be nice to be a father wherever i was at the moment.

[Stella Armour]

and you were , your guardian angel saw to that..

[Tate Morgan]

i was just the right man for the time.No more than any man would do

[Stella Armour]

i don't know about that Tate... many would have just passed by..

[Tate Morgan]

well i think there are good men everywhere

Bearing for her life's burdens
soothes the children of their tears
Is the rock all others break upon
leaves fond memory of his years