love poem for the homeless man who was killed on wednesday night
I wanted to tell you
the moon was beautiful
tonight. full & close
to the earth. bright
enough to steer
your way up the parkway.
so the cars & trucks
could see you plodding
to your box & paper home.
your past—heaped
cart—arriving two seconds ahead
of you.
I wanted to apologize
for the young mother
who snatched her son
away from you. not knowing
you preferred the backs
of people & only spoke
with signs. who didn't know
you never begged for money.
but pitched silver tent
on busy intersections
& held posters reminding
of Veteran's & Memorial day.
King & Grandparent's day.
I wanted to say
it was your hands—caked
with years-old clay & quaking
from too much solitude—
that compelled me
to find you docked
on Presidential. lay
raincoat. unbruised fruit.
jugs of water beside
your cart. earnest offerings
you left untouched.
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You've made me grieve for him. *
You see so much more than what's in front of you. *
Your writing is absolutely beautiful.*
Wonderful. *
I've seen this guy. Great work.
Goodness. *
Sad and real. I like the refrain of "I wanted to..." Speaks of guilt and regret.
(maybe single space?)
Makes me connect with the moment. I like the poem.
"lay
raincoat. unbruised fruit.
jugs of water beside
your cart. earnest offerings
you left untouched." ****
I love how each stanza is framed by "I wanted to" because in each instance it is too late.*
As far as one can get from the 0.01%, but alas so human. *
thanks everyone for reading & commenting
Good.
I read this poem first, without keeping the title in mind, the title had slipped my mind, and it led to a very interesting poem about a close relationship. It makes more "sense" the other way, title in mind, yet I like those two ways of seeing it, deep! *
This is the perfect one for me:
I wanted to say
it was your hands—caked
with years-old clay & quaking
from too much solitude—