That Guy

I’m the guy who wouldn’t yield.

I’m the man alone in a field.

 

I’m the guy who thought he was right.

I’m the man who saw the light.

 

I’m the guy alone in the dark.

I’m the man who sleeps in the park.

 

I’m the guy who cherished his marriage.

I’m the man who pushes a carriage.

I’m the guy who had to go.

I’m the man you don’t want to know.

 

I’m the guy who tried to be real.

I’m the man they wouldn’t let feel.

 

I’m the guy who sang his own song.

I’m the man who wouldn’t go along.

 

I’m the guy who seized the day.

I’m the man who lost his way.

 

I’m the guy who likes to rock.

I’m the man who went into shock.

 

I’m the guy who always sees.

I’m the man down on his knees.

 

I’m the guy, peaceful like a dove.

I’m the man they couldn’t love.

 

I’m the guy searching for his soul.

I’m the man who wanders through Lowell.

 

I’m the guy who has many fears.

I’m the man with music buds in his ears.

 

I’m the guy who got lost.

I’m the man who paid the cost.

 

I’m the guy they thought was a nag.

I’m the man living out of a bag.

 

I’m the guy who took it slow.

I’m the man who needs to grow.

 

I’m the guy who couldn’t deliver.

I’m the man alone in the mirror

 

I’m the guy who wears the same clothes.

I’m the man whom no one knows.

 

I’m the guy who turns from sin.

I’m the man who wants to come in.

 

I’m the guy who carries a torch.

I’m the man alone on the porch.

 

I’m the guy who should have learned.

I’m the man who finally got burned.

 

I’m the guy who drinks from the well.

I’m the man who went through hell.

 

I’m the guy who goes fast.

I’m the man who couldn’t last.

 

I’m the guy who saw beyond.

I’m the man alone at the pond.

 

I’m the guy who sucked it up.

I’m the man on the corner holding a cup.

 

I’m the guy who stands at the sink.

Do you know me; what do you think?

 

I’m the guy who knew it all.

I’m the man who had a great fall.

 

I’m the guy they tried to fix.

I’m the man who got forty licks.

 

I’m the guy with a heavy load.

I’m the man at the fork in the road.

 

I’m the guy who stands on the pier.

What are your thoughts; where should I go from here?

 

I’m the guy who fights the good fight.

I’m the man you need to hug tight.

 

I’m the guy down low on a shelf.

When you see me, do you see yourself?

 

So reach for that guy and hold him tight.

That man is going to be alright.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

A poem out for an airing, and so good it is too, to see older poems, so I thank Amber for resurrecting this one. An epic poem with its many couplets. The message I take from it is that we don't know what will happen to us in life. Everything can appear to be going smoothly before the crash happens. There but for the grace of God go I, and I never forget it. Every homeless man and woman has their own story to tell and they can be heart breaking. Pleased to have read this Pete.

Chris

[Pete]

wow. i had forgotten about this. thanks chris. hard to type with tears in my eyes. there is a patient, gentle understanding vibe that you emit in what you write and say. unfortunately a fall is necessary before a phoenix can rise. such kindness and understanding you bring ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Out of the ashes, and how wonderful that rise can be. Kindness is an attribute each one of us needs to buff up, and it costs nothing :) The difference it can make though. Pleased you are no longer rock bottom.

[Pete]

i've been buffing up on it myself. am bringing daily meals to a couple of people in my building with illnesses. i had been doing it for another who passed away - so glad now that i did it. he used to hug me and thank me. by helping others we are helping ourselves. kindness goes a long, immeasurable way ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

That poor man really appreciated you. See what a difference it can make. You know that already otherwise you wouldn't do what you are doing:)

[D. Mansfield]

Blown away by the depth of this poem, glad I got to read it. Thank you for sharing it with me

[Pete]

so glad you got something from it. thank you ... :)

[Sami Khalil]

This is a marvelous poem with bright and open confessions to let it all out and tell it like it is or was. Every line reveals something about the author who wants to be an open book helping himself and others who go through the same. Wow!

[Pete]

the first thing i think i ever wrote here in the cafe - more like a pent-up, releasing, rant of a long, bottled-up time. thank you sami ... :)

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome sir.

[Poetic Beauty]

Most of us are only a pay check or two away from being homeless...

There are many reasons one can become homeless and people tend to shy away from people who are. This sheds light of the fact that their are indeed still human, still people.

[Pete]

some of the best things in life are in places most are afraid to go. some of us need a good comeuppance, a stark reality check before we will change our thinking ... :

[Amber Stone]

I know this one is from 2018, but still, now that i have the chance to look along your extensive work, I JUST BOW TO THIS ONE! this is an epic poem, i guess an epic perspective of your own person. i really bow to the way you wrote it and the sentiment you gave it! awh, and please, forgive my delay by feed-back (2018-2021) woah! lol... am just new in writerscafe since only few months but am really glad meeting ur work and meeting you. sincerely, Amber. :)

[Pete]

omg. this was one of the first things i wrote. this one hurt - straight from the gut after a sucker punch. thanks for the blast from the past amber ... :)

[Amber Stone]

then i must be the lucky one sharing it with you, i can grow from it too, that's how amazing the effect of your work goes, Pete, you make ppl. gro with you, you make others grow with you...am just one more lucky one sharing it now :) truly yours, Amber.

[Pete]

so kind. your bright light is visible to me ... :)

[¿]

Tis the most motivating poem for me by far...I coat no sugar...
This one's simple, realistic and moreover I do find myself in it...the rhyming and the actual meaning got conveyed here smoothly....am saying bout how twas to me...and to me it twas inevitable!
I've got few words to say...but your words does helps to strengthen one's esteem...thanks so much for sharing this one :)

[Pete]

the very first piece that i wrote. always felt that it was too long. thank you for being able to relate and for sharing thoughts. much appreciated ... :)

[¿]

I mostly try too read the first piece of writers here...feels like am checking the roots...you're one is strong! You're mostly welcome, Pete :)

[¿]

Piece of writing of writers* (my keypad!!)

[Pete]

i'll be by for a read as soon as i can. promise.

[¿]

Ah...I'll be happy if you read...but never think of giving reviews as mandatory...also thanks for responding to my review...it feels good and I could make one understand what I wanted to say... Blesses be upon you :)

[barleygirl]

I love the idea behind your poem. The rhyming couplets are interestingly paired & seem to roughly alternate between a guy you’d want to meet & one you’d rather avoid. In the end, it seems this guy would likely be avoided, if not for your message which urges us to look beyond our impressions & just give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Now here’s the thing I’m not crazy about . . . your poem goes on for too long & many of the descriptions are not distinct, but instead are just another way of saying similar things. For a poem to warrant such a length, each couplet would need to sparkle as a unique aspect of this overall condition (in my critical opinion, that is). All in all, well-crafted with rhyme & imagination (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

great observations. one of the first pieces i wrote. was trying to capture many thoughts & feelings swirling and pertaining to events. not particularly well structured and shied away from giving too much detail. i agree about the length. thank you Margie ... :)

[Diamond]

Okay Pete, I read this one earlier but did not review.

"I’m the guy who stands on the pier.
What do you think, where should I go from here?"

This line did stop me. I like it very much. Especially how you are showing that the adult version of a person is nothing but a result of the circumstances of the junior version of the same person. I am talking like a software engineer...ain't I? hehe...

[Pete]

thank you Queen. great observation and very true. i was a software engineer.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Pete,
Life long maneuvers along day's road is the message. I guess that most people can identify with this story. Each stage of "the guy" shows a frame in a movie (at least to me.) It really reminded me of the opportunity to meet others in any frame when our paths may cross. To care, to listen, to give time. Thank your for writing this honest vulnerable piece! Kathy

[Pete]

thanks Kathy. this was the first thing i ever wrote. i thought it was not very good and too long and boring. thank you for the read and thoughtful commentary. appreciated, as always. :)

[andrew mitchell]

Reminded me of a story Pilgrim's progress, Pete. a lovely write reads like you are a good bloke, I suppose we are all like a Rubik's cube, simple but complicated.

[Pete]

hmm. yes, and the problem with the cube is trying different combinations until you can finally get all the different colors to line up on their respective sides. until that happens there is frustration unless you know the secret...

thank you andrew. appreciated.