Anonymous

Just something I wrote in frustration to simple minded judgments and stereotypes people spew out on a daily basis.

I passed a man on the street today, who wore the ugliest scowl,

Tight lips pursed into an unfriendly frown warned away the smiles of man.

All around him I watched curious, as people gave a wide birth.

Then I moved my feet and walked to him, kindness in my eyes.

 

I saw a women dressed in rags, sitting alone in the street,

She had a hat inviting coins sitting beside her lap.

With her hair in knots and skin uncleansed, people stuck up their noses,

That’s when I crossed the street; to her I went, clutching a handful of change.

 

I came across a little boy, spray painting city walls,

A can of red and a can of blue coloured the brick with words.

People scoffed and shook their heads when they stumbled upon this act,

But me, I smiled, moving to him, picking up a can to help.

 

I met a young man slouched in the dark, his physic nothing but bones,

Around his arm an elastic band was tied, popping out his veins.

People spat at his feet, shaking their heads at the drugs.

And I walked into the shadows willingly, sitting next to the young adult.

 

I found a teenage girl today, standing alone on the street,

Ripped fishnets leading up to a skirt, layers of glitter on her chest.

Men hooted and females scoffed, as she ignored the profane names,

Then I turned and walked to her, offering my own coat.

 

So when I met that man with the scowl, and handed him kind words,

Tears formed on bottom lids as he looked at me with thanks.

You see, he had had a stroke that left his face a frown,

And no one dared to talk to the man who now looked so surly.

 

Then once I saw the homeless women, sitting in her rags,

I had given her all my change and she had smiled up at me.

You see, her daughter had grown ill, medical bills multiplying

And now as her daughter lies in hospital, she lives without a home.

 

When I came upon that little boy, vandalising business walls,

I had picked up a can and gladly helped finish off his art.

You see the boy was a motivated child, standing up for his beliefs.

On that wall he had painted the words, love your fellow man.

 

And when I found the young man in the dark, and joined him in the street,

He looked at me with saddened eyes, revealing his terrible fate.

You see three years ago cancer had taken over his brain,

Treatment failed and regular morphine prescriptions were there to ease the pain.

Parent’s dead of the same disease, he was left to roam the streets.

 

Once I saw that teenage girl, selling herself so cheap,

I gave her my coat to cover up and her lip quivered with hope.

You see her father had raped her for years and finally she fled,

But paying for rent and life`s expenses was too much for her to bare.

Her father stole her self respect, and to prostitution she had turned.

 

After this, to the man I became like a son, giving him my love.

To the women I shared my home, until her child was healed.

For the little boy, I paid for classes to teach him human rights.

The young man, I took to support groups to help him with his pain.

And for the young abused girl, I had offered a legitimate, legal job.

 

 

So now you see, for all these people,

Judgement was passed without thought,

Not once did someone dare to ask,

If they were alright or needed help.

..... until now.

Author's Note

Have not edited this yet- and I am aware that it requires a lot of it- but the words came, so I wrote. If you don't like this peice, then thats fine. I wrote it more for myself anyway, and if you do like it then thats great I hope you will do something simple to help brighten smeones life, no matter how small. Reveiws are very welcome. I'm not happy with the ending, and may take out the second last stanza completely so let me know your opinion on the matter, thanks alot!

Reviews

[Michael A.]

Wow - I absolutely adored this poem. Totally poignant message! I'm usually a reader of fantasy, horror, weird fiction, etc. but this really did speak to me emotionally. You are immensely talented, and pieces like this exemplify your sheer awesomeness when it comes to conveying feelings of hope and themes most people could take a lesson from. Keep up the fantastic work; i'll be reading the rest of your stuff soon :)

[Robin]

maybe one day they will quote from the book of emily , well done

[Dana Kathryn]

This is an Awesome piece!!! I wish there were more people out there like you! This was VERY heart felt and deeply moving....Brings me hope :)