If Your Face Doesn't Fit

In an ice splintered twilight

Sits dark in the gloam'

A bird on a wire

The others have flown.

Perhaps they've migrated

And left it alone?

So I think of the city

And its burnished, bright lights

And the plight of the homeless,

Forgotten at night,

As they huddle for cover

And keep out of sight.

I ponder on faces

Of the Mothers who birthed,

the ones who have nothing

on this cold planet Earth,

And the lesson I've learned,

If your face doesn't fit,

your prospects and future

Are worthless as spit.

Reviews

[willweb]

At the end there I thought of another word that rhymes with spit that would fit as well but I think I will keep it to myself. Very sad Chris and the saddest part is, it is true. I don't believe any mother gives birth to a child with the thought they will end up homeless, but maybe I am wrong. I love the title of this as well, Very cool.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much will for your thoughtful review. I know full well the word you were thinking of and I was sorely tempted to use it! So many homeless and for a multitude of reasons. It is shameful in my opinion. This is an old poem so I am more then grateful it has had an airing. Have a good day.

Chris

[LadyNaida]

Its very sad in deed because nowadays, homelessness is more prevalent.
Let's be hopeful that one day very soon this can be changed for the better.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks so much for going back in the archives and giving this older poem a much needed airing, All the best LadyNaida.

Chris

[LadyNaida]

You’re so welcome. 😊

[Chris Shaw]

I’d almost firgitten writing this one:)

[Mauricio Montoya]

The first stanza wow x files but the second hit heart been there done that,but the last made me wonder. Thank you for sharing nobody job.

[Mauricio Montoya]

But good job

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. The plight of the homeless is dear to my heart. In a caring society everyone should have a roof over their head. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

You're a gem

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

I must say, lady Chris Shaw, thou are an exquisite Poetess, a fine painter of words upon canvas of awaiting page, an eloquent wordsmith of speaking and flowing images that chant the praises of you to Mother Poet as testimony of your shining merit and worth as a gem sparkling in a world that would be a quaint and dull abode of listless and wandering souls without your radiant presence of dipping your quill to defining ink that spells meaning upon pages which do leave each reader blessed, invigorated, inspired, and heart and mind educated ...

I have those who ponder as to why I should dare delve into the dusty shelves of antiquity of their previous and past writing as posts ... I attempt to explain that were Poe alive today, posting to Writerscafe, if one failed to explore his writing works of the past, we should never have known that wonderful poem, The Raven ... And so, I dare ...

To consider the path and plight of the homeless, the hungry, those destitute and hopeless, is the very epitomy's example of a true and real human being ... For the word human is derived from the word humane, which means to possess and exhibit compassion towards other living creatures ... Ironically, here in the selfish nation of America which goes by the initials USA (Americans are best defined by these letters as: Us Selfish Arses) the humaneness of our possessions-drunk humanity is only exhibited towards cruelty to “animals” as the SPCA, with a vast amount of money spent on filming poor dogs, cats, horses, etc., starving, abused, hungry, and forced to sleep in the cold ... And so the advertisements seek to leave viewers in tears that set up for requests of monetary donations that do not feed a single human soul … And, I love animals too, but I love humanity more ...

And yet, we do not spend that kind of money on making our fellow Americans aware of the suffering of the homeless here in our nation, within our cities and communities ... But rather, when the topic is brought to their attention those USA folks with say, " I don't much like people," but I love animals," which should cause all Americans to ask ourselves, exactly, what kind of people are we as a nation, anyhow? ... Are we people? ... Are we even human, at all, in any sense of that humane derived word? ...

Do I just babble mindlessly, and that without cause? … Not I … I present evidence in support of all I share in your honor, and for your future readers. Here is the proof of the pudding's testimony as to the difference between America and Great Britain: Britain's Royal Humane Society, created in 1774 to rescue drowning people, focuses on recognizing acts of human bravery. In the United States, however, the Humane Society works to eliminate cruelty to animals.”
www.vocabulary.com ... The land of the free and the home of the brave, my arse!

Very poignant and heartfelt piece of beautiful poetry, Chris ...

Marve

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Marve for your very lengthy and detailed review. Pleased you have delved into the archives and disturbed the dust off this old poem. The subject matter dear to my heart. We do not look after our homeless and our veterans are in that bracket too. Breaks my heart. Pleased you stopped by and that you enjoyed the poem. All the best.

Chris

[Neville]

Never a truer word writ .. what a sad and sorry world enfolds around us .. or at least some of us .. like some dank, damp & dark heavy blanket :(

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. I know you feel the same about this subject as I do. There are many in need and many more will follow.

Chris

[Neville]

sadly so :(

[The_Ancient_Rock]

Ok... I'll admit!

That one I really did enjoy!!!

Because... it's real... and truthful...

I like that...

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed this one. Thank you.

Chris

[The_Ancient_Rock]

You're welcome.

;)

[Lisasview]

Another interesting poem of yours and so so true..
really liked it.
lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lisa, a much older write, out for a spring airing. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Lisasview]

good morning,
you are most welcome
better now
lisa

[Chris Shaw]

Been thinking about you. Hope you are pain free Lisa

[Corset]

The old saying that beauty is only skin deep comes to mind, are beautiful people ever homeless, there are some who are and choose to live that way. I read an article recently about a lovely lady who kept running off to live in a sewer pipe, family members would drop food down the man hole and police have fished her out at least 3 times already.

it may seem that way but beauty has it's own way of ruining ones own prospects. How many leading ladies have had to compromise for a part. it is six of one and half dozen of another, beautiful folks find it hard to find someone brave enough to approach them, usually a very lonely lot actually, but when it comes to employment, yup they always want to put a pretty face up front to meet the public, the younger and prettier the better in some cases.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Corset you raise some very interesting points. Of course when you look at the homeless, by far the vast majority are men. Yes, what has happened to the women? Could be they are prisoners in their own homes. So good to have a visit from you and for you to share your thoughts on my page. Thank you.

Chris

[red93]

Fabulous reflection on the plight of the homeless in the UK Chris. I understand there are 30000 souls in this position currently in Bristol alone. Excellent Work by your good self ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. That figure for one city is astronomical and a national disgrace. Our politicians should hang their heads in shame. Maybe they should put our homeless in hotels. Now there’s a thought.

Chris

[AYVID N]

This poem touched such a chord in me. As I picture that homeless, lost bird in the freezing twilight, a great analogy for the destitute of the world. There must be a flaw in the hapless creature for her mates to disown it. Nature and natural selection are so merciless in their logic. I relate to your words in my own way, as I too am a face that never fit. I don't have an Indian face and look more from the far east. I have fought bias at every step in life. So I know your words to be very true and wise. Thank you so much for this beautiful offering.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear DIVYA, thank you for visiting this old write. I am touched by your response. Your feelings for the lone bird on the wire in particular. You are stellar. Never forget that. 💐

[AYVID N]

And you too, dear Chris. I'm blessed to know you, read and be inspired by you. You are amazing. Thank you so much!