WARES

lady of the night

WARES

on the corner of 2nd and t streets
she stands under the street lamp
with exit signs in her eyes...
only the cool night mist for a cloak,
selling her wares
for fear of  “his” fist...
she has a flower pinned in her hair,
a sweet red rose a customer placed there
to add a bit of kindness
for a service well done,
and her “man” dan, took only the money
leaving her the flower he thought so funny...
yet to her it was a bright spot of happy
in a long day of labor
endured like the mist,
for fear of the fist...

Reviews

[JayceeC]

I think as women we often look for the one bright light in the murk and darkness. I like that you have given her one in a life of desolation. Maybe its easier to pretend with kind strangers than live with the constant abuse of her man. Would change 2ond to 2nd but perfect beyond that.
Jan

[jeannemarie coulter]

thank you and i will...i think the o was a typo i did not catch...blessed be to thee...jc

[....................]

I read this and my heart cried for her and thought how beautiful she is with that rose in her hair... i believe you have captured the essence of those ladies of the night perfectly... Dan has said the rest for me... I enjoyed this sad but well-written piece.

[dan]

jeannemarie, Did you HAVE to name the pimp dan? Jeez.....(kidding) Society looks down its nose at prostitutes but it is all to easy to forget that they are people too, with kids and poverty rampant; not one of them took up "the life" because they heard about it on Career Day in high school. That 'flower' in her hair is one of the greatest pieces of imagery I've ever read in a poem. It may as well be flashing neon. You have quite a gift for writing, I'm becoming a fan. take care...dan

[jeannemarie coulter]

i met this young woman in my first AIDS support group...the poem is based on a tale she told me and i am sorry her man shared your name but am delighted he shared nothing else with you...he was terribly violent and just plain evil on many levels...we lost her to AIDS complicated with hep c in 75...despite her hard life she had a smile that brought light into the eyes of anyone who was privileged to see it...thank you again for the kind words and the touch of laughter...

[dan]

What a tragic end to a tragically impacted life. Thank you for sharing it with me. take care...dan

[Perkele.7885]

telling it like it is for so many working women in the trade good poem

[Coyote Poetry]

You gave life to the photo with the good description. Hard life making money for the fear of being hit. The poem was honest and direct. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry. You create life and hard times.
Coyote