Poverty is an ugly word
Indigence is far better
It fogs the eyes of the rich
Like indulgence or go-getter
There are those who are all alone
Worn down by life's bitterness
Begging on the streets each day
With their minds so full of distress
Are their thoughts on happier days?
To walk up to the distant range
And shout out loud "I am here"
Thus emboldened to make a change
We care not for man or of beast
Our lives shift at such a pace
Greed blinds our benevolence
Humans are not a happy race
Image found at www.vkassignmentsjsdm.larryclark.us
It is a very terrible thing to contemplate, and while I do give a little to the homeless, I'm afraid I also feel selfishly thankful not to be in such a plight.
ReplyDeleteThere but for the grace....
ReplyDeleteI agree with your closing.. human beings are rarely happy if ever at all.
ReplyDeleteI hope words can make us happy
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree that we humans are not a happy race and kindness missing in many a heart.
ReplyDeleteI think we humans are becoming increasingly self-centred and how sad this for all of us.
Anna :o]
Your poem is a wise reminder...there are many people we do not see / do not CHOOSE to see who share our surroundings. We just walk on by - as individuals, as a country, as a world.
ReplyDeleteYes, wearing the blindfold of indigence.... that about sums up the indifference of the rich. Good one!
ReplyDeleteOh, how we have learnt to shade ourselves from the bitterness by skewing the reality and the words we use in our favor. Such privilege is well denoted and its ramifications for the human race encapsulated in your words.
ReplyDelete-HA
I have been an optimist all my life, trusting a transformation of consciousness would come. We have come close at times. But right now i wonder if the human experiment has failed.
ReplyDeleteGreed is the world's darkest self-blinder. Some people are willing to accept just about anything, if it means that they can live as comfortable as they feel they should. We must wonder how they sleep at night.
ReplyDeleteThat last line is as damning as it is true, sadly.
ReplyDeleteYes, we all are here and want to be seen and belong. All is worse instead of getting better.
ReplyDeleteCollectively we can say not a 'happy race'
ReplyDeleteThank God for the few charitable hearts
Luv your contemplation today Robin. A happy Sunday to you
Much🌺love
how can we be happy if we are human in our connections--denied, in this case--rather than in ourselves?
ReplyDeleteGreed blinds our benevolence
ReplyDeleteHumans are not a happy race
The permutations governing emotions extend far and wide. One need not have to stretch the imagination to think that selfishness stamps its authority first before anything else. Very true Robin!
Hank
The close on this impactful piece really resonated with me. I've been having similar thoughts, lately ~ sigh ~ It seems to be getting harder and harder to 'take heart'.
ReplyDeleteHumans are not a happy race... so true Robin, so true.
ReplyDeleteYour words are true. I enjoyed reading your write. But poverty is such a sad thing. I wonder if we all did what we could, would it be different?
ReplyDeleteThis photo brings shame on us all. No one should go hungry or be homeless in this country.Like it or not there will be consequences for allowing this to happen.
ReplyDeleteYour title speaks volumes Robin.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if we didn't treat a homeless person as if she/he were invisible. Saying, "good morning," when we pass or strike up a conversation on a park bench. Many people experiencing homelessness say that the loss of dignity that accompanies their situation is harder to bear than the actual loss of physical things.
Peggy xxxx
I agree, Robin. We are not a happy race. Good writing.
ReplyDelete"Greed blinds our benevolence," but so does caution. I saw many homeless people begging for handouts on the the streets of Phoenix on Sunday. Did I give them any money? No, because there are organizations that will help the homeless with a free meal and a place to sleep for the night. If I give to the Salvation Army, for example, I know that the money will be used for something other than drugs or cigarettes or alcohol.
ReplyDeletewhy homeless?
ReplyDeletethay have the dare to survive through begging,
which always an interesting things.