THE THRIFT STORE

Based on a true story.

THE THRIFT STORE

He came in unnoticed and unannounced,

Head held low with a shuffle of cards gait

Beneath the rise and fall of last year's weariness.

A slight smile revealed teeth like fence posts

That leaned ever so slightly against their neighbor.

He made his way slowly past cast-off history and headed

Straight-away to the section of rare books storing their

Musty smell of durable antiquity, fingering each one as

Though holding a golden treasure.  He picked up a

Book of Walt Whitman's poetry and began to read.

Standing for quite some time, taking long slow breaths,

He read and then closed his eyes as if envisioning scenes

On the sepia pages.  When at last he noticed the twenty

Dollar price tag, he gently placed the treasured book back

On its shelf as a small tear trickled down his wrinkled cheek.

I knew his pride would not allow him to accept a gift of charity,

So I quickly took twenty dollars from my purse.  Dropping the bill

On the floor unnoticed I said, "Sir, I believe you dropped something."

Looking down at the bill, he bent to pick it up, then grasped my hand

In silence and gave me a look that must have been sent straight from heaven.

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Reviews

[M. J. Smith]

None today would do that. Save perhaps an old drifter who once gave a teenager a pentecostal handshake on New Year's Eve before riding away into a snowstorm.
Beautiful words reminding me of that long ago night. It is said that charity begins at home. People give to world hunger, children's funds overseas, but they look down on the less fortunate in their own towns. Thank you for reminding us all. There but for the grace of God go I...

[Miss Sharon]

Indeed my friend. One never knows what lies in store in their future. Thanks for reading! ~Sharon

[M. J. Smith]

When I was sixteen, we were having hard times. That New Year's Eve, I walked into a Catholic Church to get warm. An old man was there, praying. Ragged, poor, unkempt... Folks went out of there way to avoid him. I simply wished him a happy New year. When he shook my hand, he left behind what had to by his last handful of money. Everything he owned was strapped to a bicycle. He rode away into the night. I never saw him again. He came and went as mysteriously as an unknown angel. And who knows? Perhaps he was...

[Miss Sharon]

Thanks so much for sharing this! ~Sharon

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Wowww what an awesome story poem, its a true episode right? A poor poetry lover can't afford a poetry book yet eyes it wistfully and accepts the money then his look of gratitude from heaven yeahhh yayy so heartwarming and creatively expressed.!! Kudos!

Plz do read and comment my newest poem too.

[Miss Sharon]

Thank you so much for your kind remarks! (Heading to read something of yours now!) ~Sharon

[Lisasview]

Good morning,
Feels more like a lovely story than a poem... And, I loved it.. The Title caught my eye..
Love those Thrift stores!! Such fun..
The care of realising what this old man really wanted was wonderful and the giving of the $20.00 was great..
Lisa, in cold and rainy Spain..

[Miss Sharon]

Such a beautiful review Lisa. Thanks ever so much. ~Sharon

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome dear Sharon

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of an actual incident. The man seems to have fallen on hard times, but his appreciation of Whitman suggests a person of education, or an appreciator of the finer things at the least. The speaker comes across as one of keen powers of observation and a heart sensitive to the feelings of others. The dropping of the money was a fine gesture that spared the man's pride and lifted his spirits simultaneously. Quiet actions like this don't make the papers, but each one shows that this journey is not going backwards.

[Miss Sharon]

I so much appreciate your beautiful and sensitive review of this write! Thanks ever so much my friend. ~Sharon

[Patricia]

This is awesome! What a wonderful ending

[Miss Sharon]

Thank you so much Patricia! I appreciate you. ~Sharon

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Sharon.. I read your Poem to my husband Roger… and he said.. ‘It is a Precious Poem”. It is very “touching” and we love the happy and blessed ending (with Dignity). tenderly, Pat

[Ken Simm.]

What a lovely story. So uplifting. Its just what we need today.

[rmarrwrites]

I volunteer in a thrift store, and it makes me so happy to see people find something that's special to them, but it breaks my heart when someone can't afford something they're really excited about. That was very kind of you. Great final line.

[Miss Sharon]

What a lovely comment! Thanks so much for reading. ~Sharon

[Relic]

What a great gesture of love and caring. There is nothing quite like a book to one who appreciates it and loves it. The gift you gave, I'm sure, made him a very happy man.

[Miss Sharon]

Thanks ever so much for your beautiful review of this write! You are appreciated. ~Sharon

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And I wonder if it was "Leaves of Grass"---
that would be a twenty that would turn priceless.
j.

[Miss Sharon]

Ah...one of my favorites! Thanks for reading Jacob. ~Sharon

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Such a sweet description of an act of charity. I just threw out a 17th century copy of Longfellow in the trash. I've just got way too many poetry books. And I don't know anyone else who reads them. Twenty dollars seems a bit steep for even Leaves of Grass though. I enjoyed the read.

[Miss Sharon]

Can one ever have too many books? I have 9 bookcases in my house and still have to store some treasures under my bed! LOL Thanks for reading. ~Sharon