Ode To The Gentlemen In The Cardboard Box

Old man sitting on the bench
torturing sun beating on his head
searching for change for a beer
talking about America is dead

Said he felt it while in Korea
felt it in the spit when he arrived home from Vietnam
tried to live within society's rules
but decided a cardboard box was best

Most who see him really doesn't
while the others are just appalled
doesn't matter that he fought
for America in her wars

Not a soul does he bother
helping hand he still lends
at times his body is pounded on
for the heart he still posses

I offered my candy and soda
to the oh so thin man
he looked at me with toothless smile
and asked me to sit a spell

He said I can tell your searching
for what, only you can tell
he said just listen carefully
before you start ringing that freedom bell

Life is what you make it
no need to walk through hell
most of us who have been living there
are looking up to heaven for a spell

Bullies are a dime a dozen
Hero's are becoming even more rare
Most won't walk in others shoes
Hell they don't even know themselves

Feel blessed for what you have
don't waste your time wishing for what you don't
so many is wasting away in this "next best thing" world
so few are listening to the Earth

So girl pull yourself together
be the person you truly are in your own heart and head
show the doubters just how wrong they are
but most of all don't forget to live

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Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

The old fellow gives good advice, and the young one is to be commended for listening. Sometimes I think I'd like to live in a cardboard box, too.

[writing mojo]

I love the inspiration of this story telling piece, it's believable and makes me what to dream, the homeless are some the most interesting people you will ever know, they just think we the people of nine to five norm are bat sh!t crazy...great flow to a powerful message in this piece

[Robin]

so many stories , if one is will ing listen , hell so much can be said in just a few seconds of eye contact ... so much to reflect on and contrast against our own lives .. you have some pretty heavy stanzas in this piece , your words are felt .