Shaky hand
grasped pen
pressed to paper
signs an X
by the word
P-E-R-M-I-S-S-I-O-N
The words dancing
like glitzy little
spiders
on white paper
a minefield of the unknown
made by office men
wearing office suits
But the man
with shaky hands
has more
in his steel wool mind
his lanky frame
molded to tractor seats and terrain
a soul fed
by the combustion of grief
and cotton gins
Embarrassed
he looks down
at age-spotted hands
hands that learned by
holding wrenches and barbed wire cutters
I didn’t get much schooling
he offers an apology,
a sorrow that drifts through
the air
then hangs
like a torch
waiting for
flame
morphing into light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmRDM7GyJXE
Lana, I could feel the sadness and shame of this man with shaky hands and a “steel wool mind” unable to decipher “the words dancing / like glitzy little / spiders” across the page. Heartfelt. Imaginative. Good word pictures. This makes me want to volunteer with an adult literacy program. 🙂
Thank you, Joan. I have known men like this….especially growing up in a rural community where many of the older generations were pulled early from school to work in the fields. It is sad. I’m so glad we have literacy programs!
that’s when it’s time to be a gentleman and say “I know your word is as good as gold.”
That’s right, Jim. Education is surely not a measure of the worth or contributions of a person.
I love this, Lana, and yet it’s so sad, not only the lack of schooling that his man feels so deeply, but the true shame that his worth is defined by that, by himself and by others. I get so tired of seeing human beings treated like their lives are less valuable because they’re not rich, powerful, endowed with opportunity.
Isn’t that the truth, Diana. You said it exactly as it is. Lots of good, hardworking people out there with not many chances.
Your poem was so touching, Lana. You captured it beautifully. <3
Thank you so much, Diana for your kind comments and inspiration!
Oh I loved this – despite the gut wrench of his shame – All because it is assumed we all have the same opportunities and abilities and to fall short is indicative of idleness, or worse ….. You expressed his life and his pain so well – and wouldn’t it be grand if the world had more folk like your friend JIM who knows exactly how to respond!
I do love The Band still – it must be time to haul out The Last Waltz again 🙂
Hi Pauline, thank you so much. I have known a few men that fit this mold. Growing up in these little southern towns, there were those of the older generation who were pulled from school at early ages to work in the fields. Really sad, the parents were definitely not counting on the world to change. The Band is awesome!
Lana, this is so moving and pulls at my heart…I just want to protect this man from the judging gaze of the officials…shout out to them about his life-time of hard-work, that not everyone had the chance of an education. Wow! Brilliantly written and capture so much of a man’s broken spirit and shame in just a few words.
Thank you, Annika. I am a big fan of adult literacy programs and see how it can change the lives of some people. A wonderful thing 😀
Very emotion-filled, Lana. Some things can’t be taught in school, though, and I imagine this old guy had a wealth of common sense and world-learning. Reminds me of folks in my grandparents’ generation who often had to quit school early to go to jobs to help support their big families.
Yes, I think many people feel empathy for this poor guy. It speaks volumes about the importance of adult literacy programs. Can you imagine learning to read later in life then having the gift of books, news and magazines?
Beautifully written, a heartwarmng poem.
Thank you so much, Iris!
There are more of these older man around that people would imagine who managed perhaps to write their name but could not read. We have a local county literacy council that I have been involved in. Your words illustrated it beautifully or perhaps sadly. The picture was there. And they were sometimes taken advantage of. Still happens today when people don’t read or really understand.
Very true, it still does happen today. Sometimes there are language barriers, sometimes there was just no opportunity to go to school . So neat, Jo, that you are involved in the literacy council!
It’s hard to see how people are treated according to their status.
How can people be so heartless.
Touching post
This is very true, annmaria. The shallow people who judge others this way are missing out on maybe some of the best people this world has to offer. Thank you for reading and for your kind comment.
I love your poem Lana, it makes me realise that we are all born on different sides of life, but there are still a lot of people in this world who still think that if you did not get a chance to be educated you are nothing or you cannot do anything. How sad to see that many people have forgotten their pasts, we all have ancestors who did not know how to write, but eventually we are their descendents, and we had the chance to be who we are today, but without the uneducated, we wouldn’t have been here – and lots of us don’t think wise about our own story.
I have a friend who studied until she was 15 years old while I continued my studies. By the time I graduated from all the stages of my education, my friend had set up her own business, self-employed and she was many years ahead of me. She was an inspiration to me. A University degree has never dictated that life would be fair. When I was studying, I always thought of her and how she was doing. But eventually I found out. Until today we are still in contact and she is still doing well.
Life is not about who is more educated, but knowing that we all come from different walks of life. Thank you for posting Lana, it was very interesting!
This is very true, Juli. Education cannot make us better people in many ways. It surely can’t change what’s in a person’s heart
Wonderful and captivating poem, Lana! I’m always so grateful that I had the chance to learn as much as I did. The written word opened endless worlds to me. And I admire all those people who somehow manage their life without, who try so hard to blend in. And I admire them even more when they finally find their way to programs such those you’ve mentioned. It takes a lot of courage to do this.
I had to use the southern term, “blessed,” but yes, those of us who had the opportunity of an education really are blessed. Many people who lack it or who come from background where it is not valued fall terribly behind in the world. I am so thankful for literacy programs that serve these people and brighten their lives.
I couldn’t agree more, we truly are blessed in that way.