Stripping away the rose colored glasses of denial concerning my reality. Getting in touch with truth. Reaching out to others in empathy concerning their reality and their walk to truth.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Smiling
























In the morning cold I saw him on the bench.
His clothes were slightly tattered, his hands were tightly clinched.
I wondered if  he'd eaten, and stopped to ask him so.
He looked at me through painful eyes and softly answered, no.

My work bag felt quite heavy and I knew what I must do.
Inside a smallish thermal box lay some cornbread and some stew.
For moments that I struggled he hung his head quite low.
The wind was blowing harder and I feared that it might snow.

The thermal box I placed beside him on the bench.
Was not enough to satisfy my heart strings that were wrenched.
I gave him gloves, my favorite scarf, and money for his pocket.
He looked at me through tears and handed me a locket.

The woman was quite lovely and might have been his wife.
And now upon this bench he sat, no longer loving life.
But then he stood and took my hand and said he'd be okay.
Into the morning cold he walked, and I watched him walk away -

Smiling.

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful and touching, dear!
    Reminds me of that famous photo in which a guy gives his flipflops to a barefooted child somewhere in Africa.
    And I often repeat that sentence as a mantra - be nice to everybody because all of us are leading smaller or bigger battles you know nothing about....

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    1. That's very true Dez. Thanks for your compliment - it means a lot. Also I know of the story of the flipflops and a recent one that involved tennis shoes, but that may have been a commercial.
      Have a great week.

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    2. and the glorious one with a dirty little kitty hugging a kid's foot in the rain! You would love my festive posts, because each Christmas, Valentines and Easter, I have posts with tones of such heartwarming and deeply touching photos.

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    3. I'm sure I would Dezmond. I love everything you post - especially minions and penguins! :))

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    1. I know - I started to post only the photo but every time I see it, it reminds of that man I met. I never saw him again.
      Thanks for visiting Debra!

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  3. And because he was smiling you started a chain of smiles that may well have stretched for miles.

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    1. What a lovely thought, Mike. Brings tears to my eyes - thank you!
      You and the Mrs. have a lovely week,

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  5. Replies
    1. Yes - thank you very much. Some things you never forget. Other things are best not forgotten.

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  6. That's such a sweet poem. Well done.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I was concerned it might be depressing for some. For me it was a haunting moment in time that changed my outlook on life. Now I await those fishducky moments! Thank you for your lovely comment.

      Love,
      Dixie

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  7. That poem is a lovely snapshot of a charming incident and conveys so much in a way that only poetry can. Also, 'smiles' is the longest word because it has a mile between the first and last letters! I have been a bit busy recently but I usually manage to at least read your posts.
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Bazza, you are never far from my thoughts. I 'see' you daily, and find myself checking out which part of London you're loving now! Busy? Does that mean there was no music for today? (smile) I appreciate your visit and lovely comment.

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