Moments are dealt like a card game,
the days of the week, a game of chance.
Most place the wrong bet, the house wins,
and time slips into a vague opaque obscurity.
The park is empty at first glance. The invisible people
slip between the cracks of a Summer sidewalk,
missed only by the benches they call home at night,
and the hallelujah preachers who feed off their repentance.
They’ll return when the sidewalks roll up
or the badges find a jay-walker threatening society’s calm.
The census takers never bother the invisibles,
not enough bathrooms or televisions to count.
Not enough to make a difference in a game of chance.
Stray dogs and ducks forget the hands that feed them.
The invisibles forget tomorrow and every yesterday.
In their paper or plastic world, all that matters is the moment.
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Reviews of "The Invisibles - Part One"
Reviewed by La Belle Rouge (Reader)
Reviewed on December 28, 2004
Lori this is a powerful and poignant glimpse at their invisible world.
Poignant description of living "hand to mouth" - but at least they inhabit the moment, whereas those of us who are relatively "money rich and time poor" either live with past regrets or future worries - when all that matters IS the here and now: we cannot change either the past or the future by worrying about it. Very well sketched, Lori, thank you. Kate xx
Wise words, Lori. So true. Powerful message. Thank you for sharing your sharp intuition. Best wishes of love and peace to you. Regis
Reviewed by Tracey L. O' Very (Reader)
Reviewed on December 24, 2004
This is fantastic and so well 'observed' by you. Today this moment is all that counts is so true. I was once one of them and to tell you the peace that I found and often miss of being away from the ratrace of life. I learned the true value of life and all that really is important though. like you say today right now. There were many times I didn't think I would see tomorrow,and no one really cared either. The invisables so true. Thank you
Have good days everyday.
Tracey
An excellent write. The here and now, is all everyone has at their dooesteps to deal with, and anyone can become homeless in a heartbeat. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Reviewed by Debashish Haar (Reader)
Reviewed on December 23, 2004
Man is perhaps not the center, the focus of the universe. One may go so far as to believe that there exists above him, on the animal level, beings whose behavior is as alien to him as his own must be to the mayfly or the whale. There is nothing that would necessarily prevent such beings from completely escaping his sensory frame of reference, since these beings might avail themselves of a type of camouflage which, no matter how one imagines it, becomes plausible when one considers the theory of form and what has been discovered about mimetic animals. This idea surely affords a wide field of speculation, though it tends to reduce man, as an interpreter of the universe, to a condition as modest as the child conceives the ants to be in when he has overturned the anthill with his foot. (Extract taken from discussion of "the great invisibles" (James Sebor). Incidentally I have collaborated with Sebor (in his molecularism series), that title reminded me of his painting series...
POWERFUL work!...It reminds of Ezra Pounds' poem (I forgot the name) which Yeats criticised heavily saying that the effort was not worth Ezra's erudition...
"The Invisibles" excells in imagery and motif ... "all that matters is the moment" yes, that's one reason this poem matters, it encapsulates the moment ...
I really like the term "invisibles" because that is exactly what they are, unless they see a reason to make themselves visible. They move like a shadow and live without regret, for the most part. I used to work with the homeless, it is a real eye-opener. I figured most would love to live a different life, but I was sorely mistaken. Most would only want a different life if it was handed to them packaged and ready to use. I speak mostly for the men when I say this. The women are frightened and would generally love an opportunity to get themselves and their kids back into the mainstream. I wish the shelters had the resources to rehabilitate, but that is just not the case. Excellent write, Lori with pleanty to chew on. You are awesome, girl!
Take care,
Sherry
Reviewed by Al Swanson (Reader)
Reviewed on December 22, 2004
no wonder I forget everything, :) I really enjoyed this Lori, and espeically this line here
and time slips into a vague opaque obscurity.
Al
Reviewed by Ron (sketchman) Axelson (Reader)
Reviewed on December 22, 2004
Excellent write concerning the homeless..
Many have been forced out of their homes by the greedy..
As someone who has been there once (through every fault of my own)on this rollercoaster-ride of life, I feel that this poem speaks volumes. Thanks for sharing the wisdom and kindness many do not take the time to cultivate.
Excellent write Lori! I think you covered it well. Having worked with the homeless for 4 years at St Vincint DePaul, I can say there are too many variants to tar them all with the same brush. As many as you find are where they want to be, so many more you'll find that aren't. You made the right points!
I agree, Jerry. I know hundreds of homeless people by name. Many are close friends. I would say that the majority of homeless men that I know are exactly where they want to be. Women and children are different. For whatever reason, society refuses to believe this fact... most have never had enough contact with the homeless to really know.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on December 22, 2004
I have to agree that the "invisibles" are wont to live for the day because the day is all that they have. But, from someone who used to walk among them, I say that they are visible when it is of benefit to them. The HUGE majority of these people are where they WANT to be, not where they HAVE to be.
Reviewed by Judy Lloyd (Reader)
Reviewed on December 22, 2004
This is well penned but a stray dog and duck does remember. I have a little visitor each day and my own little dog wants her to share some of his food.
This duck never forgets a single morsal tossed in friendship. You penned a very deep and meaningful poem with these words. Gives lots of avenues of thoughts. WTG
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exceptionally, powerfully penned--thank you
(((HUGS))) and love, karla. :(
Have good days everyday.
Tracey
Reindeer
Happy holidays to you, Lori! just the same...
wishing you all the best,
Gina
Love Tinka
POWERFUL work!...It reminds of Ezra Pounds' poem (I forgot the name) which Yeats criticised heavily saying that the effort was not worth Ezra's erudition...
Debashish
William .....pecae
Carole
Take care,
Sherry
and time slips into a vague opaque obscurity.
Al
Many have been forced out of their homes by the greedy..
Excellent!
TRASK
blessin's Sis, may the happiest of holiday memories be yours.
blessin's,
cynth'ya lewis reed
Here there putting the homeless into the millennium dome..
Well balanced, intelligent write..
Felix
Exceptional writing I must say~*
You've done an excellent job with this. Happy Holidays.