Tattered Lady

Poem about a compassionate young boy.

He held Mommy's hand

As they walked downtown
And eyed the tattered lady
With a sad, pathetic frown.

Selling roses made of paper
She was sitting on the ground
Holding up a battered can
She barely made a sound.

He wanted to take a look
Or maybe even buy
But Mommy dragged him past
And he wondered why.

Later in the afternoon
The weather turned to cold
Sitting at the kitchen table
Wads of paper he did fold.

Sticking out a long pink tongue
He tried to make a rose
But he grumbled and he fumbled
"This can't be how it goes!"

Suddenly an idea formed
He began to hash a plan
Running to the garage
He quickly built a stand.

The boy folded all the paper
Creased all that he could find
Selling paper planes
Was what he had in mind.

He sold them to the neighbors
To strangers and to friends
He'd earned quite a stash
When he finished in the end.

Early the next morning
They were downtown again
He clutched his money jar
With the ones, fives and the tens.

Arriving at the toy store
He didn't go inside
Pulling from Mommy's grasp
He quickened up his stride.

Seeing the tattered lady
He flashed a big, wide smile
And gave her the jar of money
Picking one rose from her pile.

Author's Note

Please give an overall review on this poem. Thank you!

Reviews

[ANTO]

This is beautiful Melissa. Beautiful story, well told and delivered with a bouquet of sighs in the final line.

[Celie Rose]

Beautiful. I really like your poem. Children are naturally innocent and very giving.

[Coyote Poetry]

A beautiful story in the poetry. I like the positive ending. Sometime children view of life is different and better than the adults. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you so much, Coyote Poetry! I am glad you enjoyed this. Children amaze me with their innocence and goodness. Too bad sometimes that we all have to grow up.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right and you are welcome. We need to look at life with kinder and better view.

[RedMistress]

Lovely poem. The simplicity of the gesture and the innocence of his intentions are very touching. Definitely something to learn from. And the deliverance was very sweet.

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you, RedMistress! It's a shame we all can't keep that innocence and compassion about us in this crazy world. I am happy that you enjoyed this.

[wordman]

a sweet young man, touched by an angel

[MelissaAndres]

wordman, if only we all had that sweet, angelic way about us! :)

[wordman]

i do melissa,and you`re welcome

[alifeacoustic]

Beautifully done Melissa. The innocence of childhood could teach us all a thing or two.

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you, alifeacoustic! I appreciate your kind words!

[annalysiar]

Cute. Innocent. And very very compassionate. Very nicely written.

[MelissaAndres]

Thank you, annalysiar! I am glad you enjoyed it!