I can’t think of a lead-in that would adequately describe the following poem, so I’ll let you read it and decide for yourselves what meaning or message it may carry.
Here’s hoping that your Tuesday is tremendous.
What’s In A Name?
The Old Man At The Shrine
The old-timer sat back
in the dimly lit corner
as he had done now,
countless of times.
Soothed and comforted
by the solace,
of his rightful place
in this, his wrongful shrine.
*
From there he had seen
the fighter,
the Romeo
and the fool,
the down and out
the drifter,
and the dreamer,
soon to be schooled.
*
Oh yes, he had seen
the con man,
the liar
and the thief.
He had seen the joy
of champions,
and the defeated,
in their grief.
*
From his seat he had seen
the braggart,
the coward
and the poor,
he had witnessed
the “high and mighty”
be humbled,
by the whore.
*
But his views had revealed
that we’re all the same,
we’re merely wearing
a different skin.
And, that you can put a name
on nearly everyone,
by simply choosing
a different sin.
*
But this shrine, as it were,
was more like a home
to the old man,
and many the same.
And if you’re judged like they say
by the company you keep,
then the old man
has many a name.
***
Dec. 2012
Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed written consent of the author. JRD 5/7/13
