"Teddy Bear..." Poem

Returned in memory

I've walked the streets
of so many places -
round the world

and just around your corner
too.

and all the thrown-away people
wandering by...

wandering

being what they are -
its all they have now.

Ever really wonder
just
how many paychecks you are
from being a 'them' too?

I remember reading
a Washington Post obit
of a Vet that died
sleeping on a sidewalk vent -
downtown DC, the night before...

same day I finally visited 'The Wall'.

I always wondered why -
they didn't add his name...

he gave it all
in the end.

Being outside -
you WANT oversize shoes
for the extra socks, ya know?

People have reasons,
not always excuses -
for being where they are
when they are
as they are...

and because they ARE people
they ARE worth listening to...

"Teddy Bear..." was a 'minute', just another cold-day-
in-hell, Philadelphia... it had snowed the night before.

"Teddy Bear..."

Shuffle a bit,
keepin' warm...
move, stop, move again.

Look at the pretties -
"...nice pretties...",
ice sparkles so - see?

So slowly reach,
softly touch - touch -
trace the smooth melting curves -

breathe,
look closer - am cold,
move again.

Hates shadows,
lives in shadows,
is a shadow...

I can see, I can...
all the eyes that look away,
that just pass by.

I watch them scurry,
so busy doing...
what?

I don't know but
they do - they must
cause they're busy.

I was busy,
can be busy,
look... see?

I was...

Am hungry...
no matter - eat tomorrow,
yeah, tomorrows good,

a sunny day,
...warm sunny day -
no shadows tomorrow,
hates shadows.

Am cold,
move again - breathe.
I was them...
was.

Listens to my heartbeat,
is the voice I know best.

Its still there... damn,
wish it wasn't.

Maybe tomorrow...
yeah, tomorrow's good,

a sunny day -
hates the shadows.

I had a teddy bear too...
somewhere, somewhen,
I did... really.

I remember...
wish I didn't - remember.

Maybe tomorrow -
yeah, maybe tomorrow
that'll be gone too.

Chris

Author's Note

Say as you will - feel free

I added THIS after posting... sometimes I really just want to speak and wish this had a realtime component so a conversation could flow... sigh

"Teddy Bear" is not about shame or embarrasment or making a person feel bad or less than they were in any way... Its about being aware of BOTH sides of the human coin and our humanity. Its about having and knowing neighbors, not judging appearances.

We need to take off the 'blinders' and SEE the world we live within. Maybe then the anger we have because of all the fear we hide inside will lessen. People don't want pity and we all KNOW there IS no FREE Lunch... but - we all had a "Teddy Bear" (of sorts) when we were little - ya know? It helps if we remember that.

Chris

Returned to for the memory of its thought.

Reviews

[Crowley]

I own a successful business and know that from week to week, I could be there in the blink of an eye, along with the 35 people that work with me and their families. I used to say that if you are going to be compassionate, you can't pick and choose who you are going to be compassionate too. Compassion is something you are, not something you apply. Not sure how close to that same definition I am these days, but would really still like to believe in that. When I see that people can't even get along with each other because of fabricated political and cultural mumbo jumbo that divides so many today, I know that not enough can look at what you just wrote and say " I resemble that remark" . This was a great voice, making a great point, in a world that is great if we just open our hearts a little. Bravo Chris.

[Chris]

I believe this was one of the first ten poems I posted here... July 7, 2011... and it's no less valid now - damn.

[Crowley]

You and I came on this site at roughly the same time, I just took a 2 year hiatus to distance my self form some shenanigans. And yes...it is.

[Chris]

There has been some memorable poets and writers posting here through all these years... Some left as they grew, some were likely driven away, others pop in from time-to-time. It has been a joy for me watching and listening as people find their voice and express their own thoughts in ways they didn't really know they could.

[Crowley]

I miss Ed. Had a chance to meet up with him once. I still speak with Kerry O'Conner form South Africa over on her Imaginary Garden Blog site. I am with you, its cool to hang our with people you would never ever meet if not for this amazing medium.

[Chris]

So many have passed - I too miss Ed... and Laury... and sooo many others.

[Onlyme]

Your at teacher to humans about deeper levels of humanity and emotions and how they interact with everything in the Universe of time. Deep profound.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

"Teddy Bear"
The title speaks of past realities of love given and life accomplished in these folks lives. I like the way this writing gives voice to the effects of stagnancy moving in to the hearts and motivation being eroded by this time living as a "shadow." (good word choice.)
Inner feelings and responses are given in a stream of consciousness in this poem between the person who the street person remembers similarities with and identity with.
It's hard to face up to the reality of present times of a good part of our human brothers and sisters.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Chris]

Kath, thank you for taking the time to visit beyond just the first page of writings. Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Your work goes back a ways and I don't want to miss any lessons or beauty. I'm like little kid who needs another drink of water or I can't go to sleep.
Ha, ha!
See ya later Chris.
Kathy

[Ruth]

Chris...even your additional note moved me...by god...I am in tears...how did humanity ever become so divided...forgetful...so busy...unattentive...and yes...the teddy bear....shows the connection...the innocence we all had...shared and hopeful...knowing we just were...just were part of everything and everyone...yes...my tears are minimal compared to what some people have to endure...my heart feels crushed after this piece of observation and also humbled to know someone, somewhere, IS ALWAYS noticed xx

[Terohime]

I really never seen that in this perspective. The perspective of the person who is the one who is hungry, and cold. This side that you described in this poem, is not shown to often. All we ever see is those people on the news who are seen helping someone on the streets, but i think a lot of people that you see trying to help others on tv, are only there for the fifteen minutes of fame. The ones that help and don't want anything in return are the true heros.

The part of this poem that i was more attached to was the part of the Vet, who died on the streets. I have been to that wall that you described in this poem, and it is sad that, the vet who gave his all to his country was not up on that wall also. I am fortunate enough that i am not in a situation like that at this point in time, but that is not set in stone.

This piece showed the side of the world that most people don't want to notice. I thank you for sharing something like this, it has opened my eyes a bit more in this type of situation.

~Res

[olla]

if we could .. would.. only look with our hearts.. it is really not so hard to SEE..

[olla]

I was moved when I read this the first time.. and it still moves me.. even with all the reminders.. we still judge with too short of a stick.. and we will be judged by that same measure when it is our turn..

[Renée]

Reading, taking it all in...There but for the grace of God go I ...Thank you Chris..for being a voice for those who can't...

[Eve]

ahhhh, I see...I still have a Teddy Bear..well, a Monkey named Bobo that I love almost as much as the friend who gave it to me lol..love these lines best;

Listens to my heartbeat,
is the voice I know best.

Its still there... damn,
wish it wasn't.

Maybe tomorrow...
yeah, tomorrow's good,

[Southern Cross]

Everyone needs a voice and Chris your voice speaks for so many people that just fade into the shades of gray in our busy world. Thank you for this post..and of course for being you

[The Pain Stays Fresh]

The title is what drew me in. It's very good. I think I'm getting used to the hyphens.