They called him Old Aaron
he used to sit in
the Arby’s parking lot
in summer
out there on the table
sun beating down
somtimes he would flash
a toothless grin
he sat on that bench
heat exploding
sun beating down
where did his memories go?
I often wondered if his stories
stayed with him
or was his mind
blank now
from all those years
of being caught
in that life
going downward
on a bitter slope
heat and chatter cold
trapped in a world
he will never leave
where do you go
when you have nothing?
over the years
when fear lurks
under a bridge
under a cardboard shelter
the silk-suited business people
can’t look
don’t want to see
a glimpse of themselves
in his blackened face
in his toothless smile
in his bitter struggle
to survive…
Lana, your words were so sincere and caring, your thoughts very meaningful to November. Thanksgiving coming should help those of us who “have” to think about those who don’t.
I may have mentioned I have gotten to know a few of our local homeless people. I tried to write “character studies” on them. They are in posts from awhile ago.
Practicing and imagining their paths in life and how they ended up where they are. I often say to people who may be feeling or sounding “superior,”
“There but for the Grace of God go I.” We are possibly 3 to 5 bad choices accidents or bad luck episodes from where we are now to unfortunate circumstances.
Thank you a Robin. You are so right about those 2 or 3 things that keep many of us from the streets ourselves. Our town is not that large so I also see many of the same people. I saw a neat article from San Francisco where volunteers made little portable houses from recycled material that were very attractive and were an excellent shelter for the homeless. I wish more could be done to help these people.
“HE” is an example of what should NEVER be in the USA!
That is so correct..you would think we could do much better…
Nice work. and more importantly, meaningful work. Happy Thanksgiving. Regards from Florida
Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving to you also…Florida sounds wonderful 🙂
A chilling sentiment. It’s so easy to turn away.
Yes it is and it truly demonstrates how much many of us have to be thankful for.
L.T. A masterpiece … It brought tears to my eyes. All I could think of was, “That could have been me.” Blessings are amazing, and “he” may have been blessed with what he wanted to do. We have to believe that or we sob uncontrollably.
That’s a great way to look at it also. Yes truly, it could be any of us, and sometimes people do make decisions to be rather free spirits with no responsibility. Thanks for your kind words.
Thank you, L.T. I wrote my words because I am crippled … mobility impaired. I have been blessed to have a great help-mate in life, but as a writer I don’t need my legs, but I do need my spirit, which will always be free.
That is right, writing is a great freedom for all of us that write, it enriches the spirit and unleashes a bit of immortality. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a blessed upcoming Thanksgiving 🙂
Thanks, L.T. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season too!
Your thoughts are powerful and deep. All of us are on the brink of the same with the loss of health … or other circumstances that are so changeable…
That is exactly true, it could certainly happen to anyone. Have a wonderful holiday season and thank you so much for all your wonderful comments.
You too L.T. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks!