Like Sheep They Follow

(Human behaviour)

Outside a station

a young man, slightly dishevelled

with a white placard hanging from his chest,

stands out from the rest.

Free hugs his words state,

I wait to see who will take up his offer.

No one stops, they all scurry by,

heads buried in phones,

in a hurry to get to work.

A crying shame I thought,

his an act of humanity.

I step forward for a warm embrace

and soon there is a queue,

how true, people follow like sheep,

I turn away from the crowd and smile.

Reviews

[John Sullivan]

Once in my drunk and unmedicated days, I was leaving a local thrift store in a dark mood. A young lady was standing out in front of the store telling all passerby's that Jesus loved them. Now I'm not terribly religious, but the gesture was felt all the same. It really is the little kindnesses

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right. A little kindness in an unkind world goes a long way. The young lady you were talking about wanted to share her good news. Yes, she was being kind. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Chris

[John Sullivan]

She did, and it mattered that day. Always a pleasure, Chris

[Davidgeo]

Makes me smile to read this.

[Chris Shaw]

Then I thank you.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

In general, people don’t like things out of the ordinary like this guy with that sign ( which brought a tear to my eye), was just asking for a hug, simple…. But no not for the masses…. It only take one to embrace and then all the sheep follow…
A very heart wrenching poem, nicely crafted Chris
Warmly
B. Stay warm!

[Chris Shaw]

Standing alone with his placard. Brought the maternal out in me Betty. He needed a hug, his smile told me that. Thank you my friend.

Chris 🌺

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear Chris, a heart-warming piece....
Warmly, B

[Dave]

Chris - what a kind gesture. One can only imagine what made this man do what he did. Perhaps he needed the comfort of someone's well wishes. Perhaps deep down, he knows that we could all use a hug every now and then. I think the response of so many others proves the point.
Again, good going1
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Dave. I think this young man needed that hug. He brought out the maternal in me. So many young people these days with problems. Have a lovely Thursday.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - it's true. It's not hard to imagine you allowing for your maternal instincts to move you.read moreChris - it's true. It's not hard to imagine you allowing for your maternal instincts to move you.
Best of all wishes to you - Dave

[Patricia Wedel]

You are a Shepherd whose Heart 💜 is Free… We will follow thee…. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely thing to say. I would rather be a shepherd than the Pied Piper. Thank you dear Pat for gracing my page and leaving a little of your good self here. Sending love across the pond.

Chris 🌺

[Neville]

this is just so cool our Chris and so flippin human too .. good on you and the other fella both :) Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Well he clearly was desperate for a hug. He brought out the maternal in me. Quite a while back now Neville. Thank you kindly.

Chris .

[Andrew John]

Nice bit of behaviour on your part there. And I can imagine that it could happen. Good bit of observance.

[Chris Shaw]

A long time ago now. This is an old poem, but it deserved to be given an airing. That young man needed to know that others cared. Thank you Andrew. Have a good Thursday.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Am not a hugger but I do appreciate your well-demonstrated point.
So many are sheep in search of a shepherd--unfortunately, not The Shepherd
who, ultimately, grants true freedom.
Meaningful work, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy. This young chap I reckon needed a hug more than anyone else did. In the current climate I would not be so keen to step forward. How things change in a year.

Chris

[Moonie]

I think you have a gift of being able to say just the right words to bring the scene into focus. Hugs are always a sweet gesture. It's a shame I never find people with such placards around me, maybe I need to start the trend, and people will follow?! :))

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your lovely review. Hey yes, be a leader and not a sheep (lol). Haven't seen you around for a while, so I appreciate your visit. Have a virtual hug ((.))

All good wishes

Chris

[emipoemi]

This has great potential! The theme is fantastic, the progression is practically perfect, the sporadic rhymes land very well. There are some technicalities I'd like to address, though, If I may. "Free hugs" would be better off in italics followed by a comma; A comma should come after "shame". The last line is rather anticlimactic, not so much in imagery or power, but in position. Your power peaked at the echo to the title, and this straggler literally feels like a straggler - completely out of place and it undermines the overall power of the poem. It would be cool to linger a bit more on the powerful progression of the people forming this queue, so the readers linger in this great turn of events sparked by human compassion. And mention the smile (not so much the whole last line) amidst this new section. End on the echo to the title, for there's far more power there than in the current final line. Just my two cents. Take them as you may. This is otherwise amazing. Well done!

[Chris Shaw]

I appreciate your detailed review emipoemi. Always pleased to consider constructive critique. Yours is welcome and I thank you for your interest and time. All good wishes


Chris

[emipoemi]

Always a pleasure to assist