She ran along the road in her bare feet
One vagrant child of many running free
Pulls coats and dresses begging "S'il vous plait"
If the gendarmes were not about that day
Most men would merely flick her aside
Or ignore her as if she was not there
Ladies could not be predictable
Even those whose fur coats were of sable
One clearly loved all children as she turned
Gave her a trinket fastened to her dress
Girl's grimy face beamed with a radiant smile
So lady chatted for a little while
She could see much more than others there
Wished she had more trinkets she could give her
But just smiled then turned round to walk away
Turned back "Keep it, pretend it's your birthday"
Image found at https://www.change.org
At first I thought it was a scene from 'Les Miserables' (I guess it was the French that did it). But, sadly, poverty and need are not limited to any one time or place. This is a moving story.
ReplyDeleteOh this makes me so sad. Well done but oh the ache.
ReplyDeleteSo poignant and moving.
ReplyDeleteA pulling poem, Robin. What makes it sadder still is that there are millions of children in those same shoes.
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I crossed over to Nuevo Laredo from Laredo, TX... man was that an experience... horses, dogs, children
ReplyDeleteA sad story that can be seen all over Europe.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. I wrote a similar poem once. The subject is heart wrenching.
ReplyDeleteOh, my heart...this gave me a few tears, but it is so beautifully written.
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