A Bucket Full of Sunshine

He sits on a bucket full of sunshine
On the corner of Lockett & Vine
His smile wears a weathered worn face
That no longer bares his identity's name

A styrofoam cup with the words "Help needed"
Helps pay for the other mouth he's feeding
His only friend in the world these days
Is a homeless Golden Retriever named Faye
She's named after the daughter he hasn't seen in years
Who he cries for in the rain; that hides away the salty tears

He once believed that America would fight for his kindom
As he once did fighting for their freedom
They turned their backs on this hero of war
That didn't mind sending him back in for more
Yet his heart sends up a smile everyday
Through the hurtful words hurled his way

He never asks for much
Even when times are hellishly rough
He's a survivor that nobody knows
But tonight in the bitter cold

A Daughter will lose her Dad
A loyal dog will lose her wag

A lone bucket full of sunshine
Will sit empty on the corner of Lockett & Vine.

Reviews

[MsJewel]

You have touched my heart today... How many are just like this man you write of....The growing homeless population is shocking and the fact that many of the homeless are veterans is even more disturbing. There are many foundations and special funds that veterans can apply for - but unfortunately many of them don't even know this type of help exists. Your poem is bold and real and filled with compassion.

:) Julie

[Chris Micha]

Julie, I am truly honored you enjoyed this. Every word you said is true and it's truly sad. Thank you for your words! :)

[MsJewel]

My pleasure

[s y e]

I want a bucket of sunshine, pretty please? This was fandabbydoo, Chris. I loved this one! How many guys are there like the one you've written about.......... wow.

[Chris Micha]

I have a pocket full of sunshine if that works? Thank you ;)

[s y e]

Yep, not gimme gimme gimme, LOL!

[Vidya Bacchus]

Oh my but this is so sad. These are the harsh realities of life.The realities that we do our best to pretend don't exist, people homeless while we squabble about useless nonsense, You touched me deep with this Chris:)

[Chris Micha]

Awe thank you Vidya! You speak such true words. :)

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome :)

[Glass Heart Inc]

This is such a sad poem. You could raise some sort of awareness with it for people like that. You made me think about things I haven't today, and far beyond this poem. It is well written. I'm happy that you gave the man in the poem a dog to love at least. Wish we did poems like yours when I was in school.

[Chris Micha]

Thanks sweetie! I believe you can write anything you want to. Just use your imagination and put yourself there. :)

[lissalovesyou]

Oh...I am touched. No, I wouldn't just say touched. This poem goes deeper than that. I am reminded of all the homeless people sitting on the streets and how they will soon go the same way. And I am thinking of the only family he had, with Faye. Oh, how different the title is from the true meaning of the poem.
lissalovesyou:)

[Chris Micha]

Lisa, I am truly honored by your blessed words. It means a lot, thank you! :)

[lissalovesyou]

Your welcome. Write on!
lissalovesyou:)

[melissa]

This is amazing poem keep up the great work and keep them coming

[Lyn Anderson]

This is such a sad verse, and the fate of too many of the mentally ill, and veterans too. A minor correction I notice -- styrofoam.

[Chris Micha]

Thank you and thank you for noticing the typo. :)

[Lyn Anderson]

You are welcome. That's kind of what I am known for. It's my former editor OCD.

[Cerise]

An extremely special write...very well written,..a phenomenal work....it touched me alot..:)

[Chris Micha]

Thank you so much. I am honored by your words! :)

[star73]

very nice it's kind of sad A Daughter will lose her Dad
A loyal dog will lose her wag! Love it

[Chris Micha]

It's a sad life to live. You're very kind...thank you!

[Sami Khalil]

A great compassionate poem on this homeless person. You write with a bucket of sunshine to bring hope to those people . Excellent...:)..........

[Chris Micha]

Thank you my dear friend, truly honored. Thinking about you. Hope things will be okay!

[Sami Khalil]

Yep. It will. Thank you kindly for all. You are welcome...:).......................