A Friend

a seat by the sea

 

On a bench longside the sea

He sways both to and fro    

And as the cold winds blow

He shakes from head to toe

 

With belongings by his feet

He stays a fixture on that seat

An empty soul, quite obsolete

Each wintery day, a sad repeat

 

Although he is quite visible

There is rarely a spared glance

He is only passed on by

As he continues with his dance

 

No lack of effort does he spend

As he tells his tale to a ‘friend’

A laugh and humor sometimes sent

And other times, a foul mouth vent

 

Not quite rags that he wears

But here and there, are some tears

Each day is filled with empty stares

Is there no one but his ‘friend’ that cares

Author's Note

just one more addition to the ever increasing total of sorry souls

Reviews

[Tony]

I personally like to sit on benches by the sea. So this does offer a whole other outlook on those types of situations.

[john l smith]

Certainly difficult to find many nicer spots to sit
Thanks 4 visit

[Lorry]

We see, we judge, we move on hurriedly. But you saw him enough to wonder and write of what most would rather not think about. All those invisible souls that strike fear into the many, merely by being in their field of vision.
You are correct in saying so many souls. Ever increasong, until it is impossible not to see. How sad that we can walk by without even a flicker of feeling. We treat animals with more kindness.
Powerful words that we would all do well to hear.

[john l smith]

I think if we each spent 24 hrs' (or More) as a homeless person, there would be much more attention paid to the problem
Unfortunately, drugs contribute more than their share in this environment which compounds the problem

[John the Baptist]

Homelessness does indeed suck.

[john l smith]

We have had a huge influx of homeless (into Nanaimo) this last summer and that is slowly being straightened out with permanent housing.
This fellow is the next step along, with ability problems that restrict a normal lifestyle.
Not sure where all this will end but it seems to be an escalating scenario
You may have seen the same in your area.
Thanks 4 visit

[Kelly Scheppers]

All it takes is a wink of an eye, or a smile...it could truly turn one's day around!

[john l smith]

It certainly does. A bit of sunshine is also a nice complimentary touch
Thanks Kelly

[Stella Armour]

I smile at everyone and if i think someone looks lonely i say "hello" as well, it costs nothing to be pleasant even to strangers ... don't think i ever met anyone yet who didn't smile back :))

poems like this one will hopefully make people stop and think !

[john l smith]

Thanks Stella
The area we regularly walk is a friendly hello to everyone activity, even those who 'struggle' usually offer a greeting.
This poor old fellow doesn't relate at all, except to his imaginary friend

[Stella Armour]

he is in his own little world ... try to keep an eye on him if you can ... make sure he has warm clothing .

[john l smith]

we do and there is a Salvation Army quite near which we drop off at for the too many others in area
Thanks for concern

[Stella Armour]

that is good, he is probably happy enough as long as he is warm and has food bless him :)

[Chris Shaw]

We should show our compassion to these lonely souls. A nice hello, could make their day. To walk past and not acknowledge them at all is cruel in my book. Nicely composed Dave.

Chris

[john l smith]

Quite true...........

[Chris Shaw]

We have many homeless in our area too. It's a national disgrace that we can not provide sufficient homes for our citizens. We elect politicians to serve us and come up with solutions, and they don't. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. :(

[john l smith]

it seems to be a rollin stone gathering motion.
As a kid, I don't recall anything in the way of the homeless.
Now they are a feature of the landscape, struggling along with shopping carts full of possessions and sleeping in shop doorways and sidewalks.
Some time ago, the govt. shut down some facilities that housed the mentally challenged and they are now an increasing segment of the whole, as are the travellers and of course, the druggies .
Some housing has now been arranged but in our, good weather, travel to destination, I see this as an unstoppable tide that is already changing the face of the community blah blah blah
Bandaids have appeared but I really don't see any concrete solutions

[Chris Shaw]

Same here, all talk and no action.:(
I never saw any homeless until about 10 years ah. Now it is commonplace.

[Dave]

Sometimes all one needs is a friend. Someone to give a kind word , sometimes any kind of word. I am reminded of the definition of a friend that I came across some time ago: "A friend is someone who knows all there is to know about you and yet, they like you anyway."

Take care - Dave

[john l smith]

Through thick or through thin.
This poor old guy could use the real entity