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If Your Face Doesn't Fit

If Your Face Doesn't Fit

A Poem by Chris Shaw

In an ice splintered twilight
Sits dark in the gloam'
A bird on a wire
The others have flown.
Perhaps they've migrated
And left it alone?

So I think of the city
And its burnished, bright lights
And the plight of the homeless,
Forgotten at night,
As they huddle for cover
And keep out of sight.

I ponder on faces
Of the Mothers who birthed,
the ones who have nothing
on this cold planet Earth,
And the lesson I've learned,
If your face doesn't fit,
your prospects and future
Are worthless as spit.

© 2018 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

At the end there I thought of another word that rhymes with spit that would fit as well but I think I will keep it to myself. Very sad Chris and the saddest part is, it is true. I don't believe any mother gives birth to a child with the thought they will end up homeless, but maybe I am wrong. I love the title of this as well, Very cool.

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Month Ago

Thank you so much will for your thoughtful review. I know full well the word you were thinking of an.. read more



Reviews

At the end there I thought of another word that rhymes with spit that would fit as well but I think I will keep it to myself. Very sad Chris and the saddest part is, it is true. I don't believe any mother gives birth to a child with the thought they will end up homeless, but maybe I am wrong. I love the title of this as well, Very cool.

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Month Ago

Thank you so much will for your thoughtful review. I know full well the word you were thinking of an.. read more
The old saying that beauty is only skin deep comes to mind, are beautiful people ever homeless, there are some who are and choose to live that way. I read an article recently about a lovely lady who kept running off to live in a sewer pipe, family members would drop food down the man hole and police have fished her out at least 3 times already.

it may seem that way but beauty has it's own way of ruining ones own prospects. How many leading ladies have had to compromise for a part. it is six of one and half dozen of another, beautiful folks find it hard to find someone brave enough to approach them, usually a very lonely lot actually, but when it comes to employment, yup they always want to put a pretty face up front to meet the public, the younger and prettier the better in some cases.

Posted 1 Month Ago


Chris Shaw

1 Month Ago

Dear Corset you raise some very interesting points. Of course when you look at the homeless, by far .. read more
Fabulous reflection on the plight of the homeless in the UK Chris. I understand there are 30000 souls in this position currently in Bristol alone. Excellent Work by your good self ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

Posted 2 Months Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Months Ago

Thank you Tony. That figure for one city is astronomical and a national disgrace. Our politicians sh.. read more
This poem touched such a chord in me. As I picture that homeless, lost bird in the freezing twilight, a great analogy for the destitute of the world. There must be a flaw in the hapless creature for her mates to disown it. Nature and natural selection are so merciless in their logic. I relate to your words in my own way, as I too am a face that never fit. I don't have an Indian face and look more from the far east. I have fought bias at every step in life. So I know your words to be very true and wise. Thank you so much for this beautiful offering.

Posted 2 Months Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Months Ago

Dear DIVYA, thank you for visiting this old write. I am touched by your response. Your feelings for .. read more
divya

2 Months Ago

And you too, dear Chris. I'm blessed to know you, read and be inspired by you. You are amazing. Than.. read more
Some are born in poverty and rise to great heights. Others are born with a golden crib and fed with a silver spoon to waste their lives away. The passing of Lisa Marie Presley comes to mind. Although she wasn't reduced to poverty she inherited over one hundred million dollars and had to sell off all her fathers belongings and music rights (except Graceland) before her death at age 54 to sustain her. For most of us I think 100 million dollars would be plenty to sustain us all our lives and more. But on the opposite end of the spectrum there are plenty of rags to riches stories out there too. It's been my observation that most of those willing to work for an honest wage at least survive in some modicum of comfort in this life, even the very poor among us.

Posted 2 Months Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Months Ago

I am in awe of your resilience. You have done so well for yourself. I wish others had your strength .. read more
This comment has been deleted by the poster.
Chris Shaw

2 Months Ago

Thank you for sharing that terribly sad account of past times Fabian with me. I am so sorry you had .. read more
i note that you wrote this poem about 4 years ago. a poignant poem indeed.
things in all countries have not changed that much since then regarding housing the homeless.
i don't understand why empty warehouses can't be utilised as temporary shelter & then moving the homeless onto the next empty one when the first one becomes reoccupied. a roof & 4 walls is better than weathering the streets surely.
life seems to be like in the late 1800 to early 1900s with poverty everywhere.

have a great sunday,
cheerio carola

Posted 2 Months Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Months Ago

Thank you Carola. It is a national scandal that we have people sleeping on our streets. A basic requ.. read more
this is so powerful, Chris...great rhyme scheme...
and the city...always those poor spots....the homeless trying to survive.
j.

Posted 8 Months Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

8 Months Ago

Dear J, thank you so much for giving this old poem an airing. Really pleased you like the rhyme sche.. read more
We are all just numbers to be expelled, extinguished, forgotten while the untouchables say its for the greater good, yes war is a sacrifice we do, to save our country, but its the pollie's insincerity that hurts because as long as they are safe they dont care, consumed in their own righteousness. Also applies to the homeless but this is where your write took me.:)

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

Dear Andrew thanks so much for your review. I love to learn where my words take the reader. Each of .. read more
andrew mitchell

1 Year Ago

You too Chris, cheers.
andrew mitchell

1 Year Ago

I think many a soldier who has served has become forgotten by those who sent them and have become d.. read more
Surely... the Countries that Immigrants left...
could have taught them to build homes and learn
to garden and have Chickens and Cows. What a Travesty
our Country will become. Too little... too late is being done.
Sadly, Pat

Posted 1 Year Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

We have much imported drug crime and knife crime in gangs. Our capital city has become a cess pit. I.. read more
Patricia Wedel

1 Year Ago

Government in the USA doesn't realize hat all the Trillions of dollars requested ... a large portion.. read more
Chris Shaw

1 Year Ago

We are a, small island and very over populated. We can not provide a home for everyone, no matter ho.. read more
Its great when a title can grab you and make you wonder what comes next. A solid piece of poetry executed wisely.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thanks duff for checking in on this old poem, out for a breath of fresh air. Good to see you.
.. read more

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Added on April 17, 2018
Last Updated on April 17, 2018

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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