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

[LazerRays]

Isnt it funny how what we do starts a chain reaction? It's something about humans that we desire to follow. This reaches out and says to us to be the one difference to start that chain reaction. Kinds over evil. Let's be the kindness in the dark places and point people in the right direction. This was such an encouragement to me and others as well. There was a light in this poem, and it made me smile too. Thank you for that :D

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sarah, thank you so much for your lovely review. Pleased you saw some light in my lines and also that they made you smile. That meant a great deal.

Chris

[H L Rose]

The irony in this is fantastic!

I can see the scene clearly and I find the poems brevity impactful in relation to the what is being conveyed.

I especially like the line “stands out from the rest.” because it shows just how much love(symbolized by free hugs) stands out.

“a crying shame” is another great phrase.

I think the occasion rhymes and the structure of the poem adds to it's simplicity as a nice anecdote.

This reminds me of the free hugs project. I love that guy.

I love the sentiment and enjoyed reading!

[LazerRays]

Wow, we lost a lot.... Of people I mean. It's just you and me for now.

[H L Rose]

😂we can take our time. I'm about to leave to0 for sleep... I'm not abandoning you! Well sorta. But will be back tomorrow!

[LazerRays]

Ok until then dream pokemon dreams ;)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much HLRose for your detailed review. Pleased you enjoyed the sentiment in my poem. All good wishes.

Chris

[LazerRays]

HL, you online?

[H L Rose]

Always a pleasure, i can geek out about hugs in general. They can brighten someone's day just like a smile😆

[LazerRays]

Smiling is good! But did you know prolonged smiling can lead to psychological disorders?

[Wild Rose]

Yes in all walks of life
We ran a market stall > when things were quiet the girls (from our and other stalls) would walk in to the stall and begin to inspect the goods _ soon other would follow

People want to see someone else being interested before they would commit themselves

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right. Strange, but that's exactly what happens. Good afternoon to you on a fine blue one for us. Hope all is good with you and thanks for the visit Wild Rose.

Chris

[Dr. YumnaKay]

You have a nice way of observing and expressing little things which normally go unnoticed but which are, in sum, greater than most things unnecessary highlighted.
I love this one, really touched my heart..sad indeed how we're quick in following trends but not in setting one.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Dr Y for your lovely response and compliment. Always happy to see you. All good wisgesread moreMany thanks Dr Y for your lovely response and compliment. Always happy to see you. All good wisges

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear Chris. I am always first to donate to the street singers. Many follow my effort. A free hug. Always nice. A free gift of concern and kindness. Thank you for sharing your amazing words and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

He was in need of that hug more than I was Coyote. Thank you.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Hugs are always good dear Chris. You are welcome.

[alanwgraham]

Very good Christine. Is it a true life story? It certainly rings true and we can see the same type of behaviour all the time. When we are looking for a place to eat my wife will not go into an empty restaurant but I reckon its often the 'sheep' syndrome why the next one is crowded. If we go others will follow. Of course there are many more sinister examples in other fields such as crime, politics, religion etc. The moral is - think for yourself but there is psychological security in blending in with the crowd.
You've got us thinking which is no mean feat!
Regards, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Alan and thank you. Yes it is a true story and a moment of spontaneous reaction. That can sometimes lead to trouble, but in this case didn't. Can understand your wife though with empty restaurants. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice poem about society. Sometimes screaming won't be heard by others.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you JungLee and how right you are. Sadly screaming is not always heard.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

You're welcome. c: Please check our my newest poem.

[John the Baptist]

An interesting comment on our modern age in this offering. A young man advertising free hugs is ignored by the passing crowd, most of whom are immersed in their social media devices. Then the narrator steps up and embraces the man, which apparently awakens the crowd from its electronic hypnosis, because a queue forms to give and receive hugs. Sounds like a real life experience. Sometimes all it takes is a little prompting. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes a real life experience. Maybe I notice more because I don't walk down the street with my head buried in my phone :) Many thanks for checking this one out John. All good wishes.

Chris

[MCS]

Good on you my friend! Sheep the undoing of us all. Great piece of writing :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you MSC for calling in on me. Good to find you here.

Chris

[KeeD]

The hero we need but not the hero we deserve. Thanks for sharing this wonderful moment. Missed you my friend, hope you're well. I've shifted to Instagram and this Facebook group called Writers & Poets cafe. That is where I share my writings nowadays. Sorry I haven't been active here to review you and read your wonderful words. I certainly have been missing out.

[Chris Shaw]

So good to find you here. I have a Facebook account, I will have to look up that group. Take care Kee and thanks for dropping in.

Chris