I saw him again today as I left work
Huddled
in a doorway
out of the wind and rain
an old man, he seems to be, at least
from the distance I
always keep between us
old, bent and gray
beaten down by life and alcohol
too little food and shelter
no love and affection
all this I tell myself
as I drive away
complacent, in my snug little world
its been two years now that he’s been around
poorly dressed and bedraggled
and I nod to him from the window
of my little red car
every evening
as I head home to a warm and happy place
never once have I tried to find out
his name
or why he is the way he is
after all, he’s a bum
it wouldn’t be right
maybe not safe
or so I tell myself each night
getting involved could turn
into a really big bother
but as I look thru my rear view window
I can’t help wondering
Could this possibly be someone’s father
Was he ever someones lover
Are there people somewhere
Who care about him
And wonder where he could be
Did he ever love someone and hold her
In his arms at night
And does he dream of her
Even now
When there is no love in sight
I look back and wonder
But I drive on into the night
Because he is
after all, just a bum
And hes soon out of my sight
i loved this poem i met an older man like this we spoke(very smart)and i took him a blanket and we i could soup and food and one day he just wasn't there any more...by now i believe him to be dead...maybe one day i will write about him
wonderful write
This my dear is good really good. Too often I have felt these emotions, too often I have thought, could it would it be me someday, will the little red car drive away? My husband subscribes to the help yourself motto, I am lost somewhere in between taking him home and averting my eyes, with always the guilt of disassociation lingering. Job well done. Thank you.
Josie
Reviewed by Ed Lupinacci (Reader)
Reviewed on May 14, 2002
We are all bums in our little corners of the world because all around you there will be little red cars looking at you and you looking from your red car at others. its just a point of perception.
Nicely done!!
an instant favourite, not a word out of place, and the topic is close to my heart. kudos sue.
Reviewed by kay devenish
Reviewed on May 13, 2002
This is so well done,both people's life contrasting but perfect empathy from the driver of the snug red car towards the ragged 'bum',and traced with inklings of guilt from the driver whom is so aware of the contrast of lifestyles and expressing so well the awareness of her luck in life in comparison to the 'bums'.The part about 'looking back' evoked to me that tugging on her conscience,the driver feeling
drawn to do something but held back by our social hang ups of getting too close to the likes of them.This is one of your best ,no doubts.
best wishes from
kay.
This is what I call stark reality...but it troubles me because we all too easily say, "Yea, How sad, Sue's right" then we all go our way just as you did...
Rosetta was born in 1909 as the youngest of ten children. The family had more laughter than money and neighbors would knock on their door to ask, "Can we come in and laugh, too?"
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wonderful write
Scada
Josie
Nicely done!!
drawn to do something but held back by our social hang ups of getting too close to the likes of them.This is one of your best ,no doubts.
best wishes from
kay.
Janet xoxoxo
Excellent Write Sue!