I Am A Poor Man

     At this time of year, as the weather turns colder I think of those less fortunate than I, who have very few options as to where they will sleep and eat. I know that some of them are where they are by choice rather than chance, but that doesn’t make their existence any less difficult or any more comfortable, when the “North Wind” begins to howl. Some of them are out of work, some are out of luck and yes, frankly, some are out of their minds. So, not all of them mind you, are looking for just enough money to get a “bottle” to ward off the cold, as it were..

     I have related the story before of a gentleman named James, who would come by our workplace on a fairly regular basis and we would “bestow” upon him our soda cans for the nickel deposit that he could redeem for whatever purpose(s) he wished.. Well one winter, a friend of mine had an “Extreme Cold Weather” sleeping bag from the military that he had not used in a while, and by the grace of God would not be in need of using, so he brought it in and gave it to James. James thanked him with the appropriate words and was off on his “merry” way. James would sleep in the doorways of the businesses in the complex and we would see him quite often nestled into a corner. However, we never saw him in that sleeping bag! My friend asked him one day, why he didn’t use the sleeping bag and was told that he had traded it. For what it was swapped, I don’t remember, but I do remember it was something rather trivial, at least to us it seemed trivial. When we pressed him a little about it, he told us it was too dangerous to be wrapped up in a sleeping bag, it limited his “escape” from the predators. Yes even the homeless, have predators, sad as that may seem.

     So my friends, should you come across someone who is living existing out in the elements, just toss them a coin or two, it won’t hurt you, and it doesn’t have to be much, it all adds up after a while. And though it may very well end up in the purchase of alcohol, it may just go for a bite to eat or a coffee to fend off the cold.

     Also, with Christmas rapidly approaching, the Salvation Army does wonderful things for the less fortunate, so when you hear that bell, please put a little something in the bright red kettle, regardless of your religious beliefs, or lack thereof, it’s about being human and sharing just a WEE bit of what WE have been given.

     Sorry, a bit long-winded today, but enjoy your Friday,

Jake. 

Can ya spare a man some change friend?

I Am A Poor Man

I don’t work for pleasure

but I’ll work for pay,

in support of my habit

of eating each day.

*

 I don’t care if I’m homeless

or when I see my breath,

if the newspaper that warms me

doesn’t mention my death!

*

 I’ll move around

but I won’t go far,

and if I’d saved more money

I could sleep in a car.

*

 So, I’ll work for money

or I’ll work for food,

but, I’m still a human

you don’t need to be rude.

*

 If I ask for a quarter

just say yes or no,

I’m not lookin’ for your pity

but I will take your dough.

*

 Yes, I’ve seen some hard times

and I’m down on my luck,

but I’m sure God will bless you

if you’ll spare me a buck.

***

 Jack Downing

Sep. 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 10/12/12