Notes About The Poem
Charity by deceit.
Alms the Poor
Alms For The Poor
~~~~~~ The Clever Beggar ~~~~~~
The not so old beggar stood
before me,with outstretched
arms and a sadden stare
He ask me for sixty-five cent
He was working this side of the street
I started to dig up the amount he requested
when he ask me if I could spare even more.
I began to realize that he first
waited to see if I would comply
before putting the rest of the game to me
“I have not had a bite in two days''
said he
The story sounded familiar
as this was his classic line
Not even trying to disguise
the well rehearsed lie.
Once again he
gave me that stare
only this time straight
into my eyes he looked
I smiled and said
“I do not like to get played”
I understand you get a check-
And your mom has to
dole it out to you
because you buy what
you want-and beg for
what you need.
Yeah buddy I got the
411 on you indeed !
see all your sympathy cards
with me have been played-
I even remember when
weeks' back
you buried your dad.
Is your Father sick again -
Did he rise from the dead ?
Since I saw last week-
have your hungry
children grown?
Get new props-
Your stories are old
His warmed over sadness
still pierces my heart.
I am driving a Ford
So I cannot afford
to help you anymore.
Even if I were to continue
I would have liked
“new” material for
my stories and poems.
I liked the fact that you
were trying to be
innovative
imaginative
or creative.
But,you were not,Also
you told repeat stories
We could have continued
in this vein, but you
“played me so cheaply”
When instead you could
have enriched me deeply.
See I was writing
a story about
“Beggars With Cash”
Living lavish life style's
with a big money Stash..
A month ago before
I changed my style
I had my helpers
follow you for awhile.
They saw you in your S.U.V-
When you left the YMCA;
You then rolled over to
a boulevard called Chevrolet.
You had on a clean white
shirt - you were
no longer unshaven .
got pictures of you living fine –
yes, of you and your
partners in crime.
Now what
do you have to say..?
I am going to write
this story and make
all the money back that
I ever gave you !
Going to call it
“Alms for the Poor”
Just to be sure.
The next time you have a repeat
Customer -Remember them !
Everyone likes a good story.
But when you lie to me
Respect my intellectual dignity;
Give the story depth and quality-
Now tell me who's the fool ?
You are a menace to society..
A needy person will now go without
Because of all the good- people
you have duped.
You were once a clever beggar
So remember this forever.
If you even tell a fool a good lie
It shows him some respect.
A bad lie is like a quick sale
Wholesale vs. Retail.
it's really no bargain
If all you have are flimsy lies
Then spare me the inept DETAILS !
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment