Bench Warmer

Bench Warmer

 

 

his flawless, 

toothless smile

the missing words

like dentures he forgot 

to put in before his morning 

walk to reach out a hand in hopes

of a few quarters to buy a mere morsel

 

to assume his existence for another night

under the newspaper headlines hoping

he is not one of them in the morning

so he may flash his flawless

toothless smile

and find his

missing words.

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/26/23

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

It’s a big contradiction and a kick in the guts when our governments offer money to other countries in need due to some emergency crisis but ignores its own who live in parks and those who fought for their country who need help to readjust and are just left to rot as homeless. It’s all image but no substance.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I will never understand that, andrew...
thank you for understanding.

[willweb]

It is a sad situation you write of my friend, though some I believe really enjoy this existence. Not all and probably not many, but some. Those who are forced into it or find themselves lost in this world of cardboard box condos, I feel bad for. Your poem paints that picture wonderfully

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, will,
j.

[Stella Armour]

so tragic Jacob, and yet when i offer to get a sandwich and drink they often ask for money instead .... hard to tell the the real poor from the druggies sometimes .
I did indeed ask one young woman if she would like me to fetch her a sandwich and she asked me to buy her the most expensive one i would never have afforded for myself ...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

taking advantage...I stopped by a walmart for a guy who had a sign..."I will work for food"
i was managing a restaurant at the time, and told him I had a job for him....he told me to move on.
j.

[Lorry]

It should be a basic human right to have shelter and warmth, a bed and and a meal, but as we have known and are finding out in this oh so modern world, human and humanity are poles apart and we are left wondering if the twain shall ever meet.
Your words remind us of the world we all fear happening to us.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think they will remain strangers, Lorry,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

So many homeless Jacob. We will spend billions on war. The poor and the children are going hungry. Yesterday a school told the board of education. If only four days of school. The child with nothing won't get their two free meals. They cannot close on Friday. This is a sad world my friend. Powerful and strong words shared.
Coyote

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the plight...and where are our leaders?
at home having their cocktail parties and caviar.
read morethe plight...and where are our leaders?
at home having their cocktail parties and caviar.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Jacob. A sad world. USA had children going hungry.

[Chris Shaw]

Sad piece J. The plight of the homeless. No one should have to spend their nights like this wondering whether they will wake up in the morning. Governments need to wake up and do something about it. Many are veterans who have served their country.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, so many are veterans...thank you, Chris,
j.

[W. Barrett Munn]

the homeless should represent our collective soul but it turns out we are soulless.
Nice write,J

Winston

[jacob erin-cilberto]

so true, Winston, so true.
j.