If Your Face Doesn't Fit

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.

Reviews

[willweb]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much will for your thoughtful review. I know full well the word you were thinking of and I was sorely tempted to use it! So many homeless and for a multitude of reasons. It is shameful in my opinion. This is an old poem so I am more then grateful it has had an airing. Have a good day.

Chris

[Corset]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Corset you raise some very interesting points. Of course when you look at the homeless, by far the vast majority are men. Yes, what has happened to the women? Could be they are prisoners in their own homes. So good to have a visit from you and for you to share your thoughts on my page. Thank you.

Chris

[red93]

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 ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tony. That figure for one city is astronomical and a national disgrace. Our politicians should hang their heads in shame. Maybe they should put our homeless in hotels. Now there’s a thought.

Chris

[divya]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear DIVYA, thank you for visiting this old write. I am touched by your response. Your feelings for the lone bird on the wire in particular. You are stellar. Never forget that. 💐

[divya]

And you too, dear Chris. I'm blessed to know you, read and be inspired by you. You are amazing. Thank you so much!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

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.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian for sharing your thoughts. I agree with much you have said, but over here we have a crisis re housing. Veterans are on the streets and also people who simply can not afford the spiralling prices in rent. I do not believe in a nanny state, but I certainly believe in safety nets. A sad state of affairs that could happen to anyone by change in circumstances. I appreciate your thoughts and your visit. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. All good wishes.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I've been homeless. I remained that way for three months during which time I filled out an average of twenty job applications a day, some online, some, in person. I had no vehicle, either. After finding a job, I rented my own place and bought a car. My situation was brought on by caring for my dying mother the last five years of her life. But people can rebuild their lives from nothing. I know it can be done because I've done it and at over fifty years of age. I had to walk to work and backpack my laundry to the laundry mat until I bought a bicycle at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. It takes tenacity and a will to survive.

[Chris Shaw]

I am in awe of your resilience. You have done so well for yourself. I wish others had your strength of character Fabian. I am particularly moved that you cared for your mother. That shows great love and compassion.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing that terribly sad account of past times Fabian with me. I am so sorry you had to go through all that. I am pleased to hear that your life is currently content and happy. You are blessed to have daughters and a wife who love and appreciate the wonderful person you are. You did your mother proud and you kept your promise to her.

Chris

[Carola]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Carola. It is a national scandal that we have people sleeping on our streets. A basic requirement for life, a roof over your head and consecutive governments of ours can’t cut the mustard. Pathetic it is. Pleased you share the same thoughts. So glad you stopped by today.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is so powerful, Chris...great rhyme scheme...
and the city...always those poor spots....the homeless trying to survive.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear J, thank you so much for giving this old poem an airing. Really pleased you like the rhyme scheme.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

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.:)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Andrew thanks so much for your review. I love to learn where my words take the reader. Each of us interprets in our own way. I love that about poetry. We are not clones. Wishing you a happy Sunday.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

You too Chris, cheers.

[andrew mitchell]

I think many a soldier who has served has become forgotten by those who sent them and have become disenchanted and some homeless through war trauma.

[Patricia Wedel]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Pat. This poem is about the homeless, often veterans on the streets of the UK. Many of them with sad tales. I have every sympathy for them. However I don't share that view regarding economic migrants who are flooding the English channel in a bid to settle here. I have every sympathy for genuine refugees and they deserve a safe harbour. People who want to be put at the top of the list, in front of uk citizens because they want a better lifestyle, don't get any. Over here the vast majority share my views. Thank you for giving this old poem an airing. I am inclined to agree with your response. The west can't keep bailing out the third world. They have to learn to help themselves. Hope you are having wonderful family time this summer. Love across the waves and nany thanks for stopping by to visit me this Sunday morn.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

Hi Chris... it is sad to see Veterans who fought for your Country to be homeless. We have helped Veterans in various ways. Our Country is in a Shambles. It seems that "in a twinkling of an Eye"....
our Country has taken a Billion steps backwards and now wants Billions of dollars to make Amends. I love all the precious children involved with the Immigrants... and I know in the eyes of God... they are seen as Innocent. I am concerned about the drugs and other things that will destroy everything we have tried to accomplish. There is always Hope and Prayer. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

We have much imported drug crime and knife crime in gangs. Our capital city has become a cess pit. I no longer recognise the city I was born in. All children are innocents and our government is useless in stopping what citizens over here consider a serious threat to our national security and way of life. Too Liberal and this is what you get :(

[Patricia Wedel]

Government in the USA doesn't realize hat all the Trillions of dollars requested ... a large portion.. could be used to teach the Immigrants to build their own Homes and Cities where their hard work could become their Livelihood... just as our Forefathers and Immigrants have done for years. The problem is-- we may run out of Land eventually. A lot to Ponder with Prayers. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

We are a, small island and very over populated. We can not provide a home for everyone, no matter how much you sympathise with their situation. You have the same problems except the USA is five times larger than the UK. Not sure what the answer is Pat We must look after our own first. .

[duff]

Its great when a title can grab you and make you wonder what comes next. A solid piece of poetry executed wisely.

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris