The Panhandler
This morning I bought a cup of tea for Lionel, a guy on disability who spends his days hanging around the intersection outside my office. Lionel is a decent guy, he cannot speak after a stroke, I believe, but he is clean, polite, unassuming, and has never asked anyone for anything.
He just does not want to sit alone in a room all day, and who could blame him.
But as I left the coffee shop, another denizen of the city streets who saw my gesture accosted me for a handout and was not happy when he was rebuffed. It reminded of this piece, which is at least a year old, based on a similar kind of street rat.
THE PANHANDLER
Scabrous, gelded man,
offering what he cannot deliver,
begs indulgences
he does not deserve.
Rust hair, rheumy eyes,
breath that could peel paint,
he accosts and accuses,
reviles and abuses,
the personal space
of those waiting in line.
Pornographic murmurs
and lewd gestures
with the hand
not reaching for your change,
he rubs himself the right way,
and everyone else
the wrong.
Wastrel on a summer eve,
layers of filthy clothes
stacked against the need
to hold what few possessions
he has.
Salted eyes, crusted
with a million tears
for what he once was -
the apple of
someone’s eye,
he looks through you
seeing only what
he can never be.
Happy.
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Shared with those urban dwellers over at DVerse Poets.
-----
©2009 Christopher Reilley
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realistic, though sad. Like Lionel, many who are impoverished or lonely are clean, decent individuals even among the homeless. By contrast there are many who are thus because they are embittered, hateful and vile. well done
ReplyDeleteI've seen this man in my town - you describe him well. How kind you are to buy a cup of tea for the other fellow.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully penned Chris. I saw him in detail and pitied him knowing if he invaded my space I would back away, eyes down, feeling pity but revulsion as well. I guess these folks have been with us always.
ReplyDeleteYou painted and honest and unromantic portrait of the panhandler, Chris, which brings him to life for me. I’ve come across men like him on city streets. These lines are poignant:
ReplyDelete‘Salted eyes, crusted
with a million tears
for what he once was -
the apple of
someone’s eye’.
That's a strong description of a far gone guy. Unfortunately it is these panhandlers and homeless that people associate with cities everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe homeless and the beggars, the crazies and the cold are but a reflection of the soul of all of our cities, and the turmoil of our society that often feels powerless to change things. Thank you for being kind when you can. The poem is sad, perhaps, but very important and very, very real.
ReplyDeleteI have been in some cities, when I was younger, where someone would ask to wash your windshielf in exchange for money. I can respect that. Panhandlers who spend their day begging is not my cup of tea. I know everyone can't control it and some don't know how to get out of it, but offer something in exchange!
ReplyDeleteAlas, there are those who for various reasons will always be left out. Maybe that is that is why I think that we cannot leave everything to charity which only benefit those who can behave properly...
ReplyDeleteYour eye for details is commendable! A very poignant portrait.
ReplyDeletePlease be mindful of the fact that we at dVerse prefer a new poem fitting the prompt for our challenges. You can share old poems at OLN. I will have to remove the link, I am afraid.