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Streetlife

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Pick any line Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Richard Lamoureux

“I've never been where they've been” taken from Rick's poem Broken People

"This is no life, just a way of surviving another day" from my poem 'The Lowest of the Low' posted on 07~21~15

https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_lowest_of_the_low__692528

www.poetrysoup.com/poem/broken_people_676168

I’m on my way into the grocery store when I see him huddled near the shop doorway In his outstretched hand an empty coffee cup I throw in a coin or two smile, and ask his name I’m Jack ma’am’ he says politely; and this is Benji ... it’s only then that I notice a small brown terrier his black nose poking out from underneath a stained sleeping bag Benji leaps up and wags his tail excitedly at the mention of his name I stoop down and he nuzzles my hand I’ve a lump in my throat as I tell Jack Benji reminds me of my dog Sam who I lost last summer Oh, how I miss the comfort of my pet Jack’s blue eyes fill with tears it's then I discover he’s been on the streets for a few months Benji’s my only true friend, he says He’s never let me down - not like my folks back at home I can see Benji is well cared for the exact opposite of Jack who looks like he’s not eaten a square meal in days I rise to do my shopping and pass them both on the way out I drop a brown carrier bag into Jack’s lap he opens it like it’s Christmas Day Inside are several pouches of dog food and some substantial sandwiches It is but a small gift, yet I can see it means the world to him he reaches up and touches my hand I’m sorry son, I wish I could do more to help but I only have a small widow’s pension I walk away, knowing how fortunate I am "This is no life, just a way of surviving another day" I’ve had ups and downs in my life, but ... “I've never been where they've been” Writing Challenge 2, November - A Poem Meaningful - Poetry Contest Sponsored by Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode Written on 10/7/19

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Eric Cohen

Date: 3/15/2021 7:40:00 PM

Brought me to tears. Wish I had read this before. Best to you. ~Eric

Jan Allison
Date: 3/16/2021 2:14:00 PM

Thanks Eric, its pure fiction for me but makes me so thankful for the life i have, I am sure other on the street would swap places any day ... just to walk in another man's shoes would open our eyes to some sad sights:-( hugs jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 11/25/2019 3:23:00 PM

Congrats too on your first placement! : ) xxoo

Na Na

Date: 11/20/2019 5:56:00 PM

Congrats on your win Jan

Constance La France

Date: 11/20/2019 3:32:00 PM

Jan congratulations on your win in my writing challenge with this beautifully emotional piem and I like the music too. I hope it placed in the original contest it was written for!

Eve Roper

Date: 11/7/2019 5:14:00 PM

Congratulations on top #one hundred poems hugs.

Curtis Moorman

Date: 11/6/2019 10:42:00 AM

Jan, I'm never surprised to see your name in first place. I've always shared with you my admiration for how well you take mere words from Mr. Webster's dictionary and turn them into masterpieces such as this one and others you have written. New members, and even some old members, would do well to use your poems as a 'self-tutoring' program and become a master poet like you! Congrats on your win!

Robertina B.

Date: 11/4/2019 7:11:00 AM

Congratulations on your top win, Jan.. Such a splendid write!! Really moved me.. So heartfelt! Have a blessed day!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 11/3/2019 4:28:00 PM

I really enjoyed reading this again Jan. Congratulations on having it at the top of the best new poems list. A very moving piece! : ) xxoo

Eve Roper

Date: 11/3/2019 8:19:00 AM

A write so touching, Jan, you did so well on this beautiful verse. Hugs Eve

Caycay Jennings

Date: 11/2/2019 8:17:00 PM

I thought I'd enjoy the best new poems from the list and yours was first. And I did, I did enjoy the writing but because of Billy I felt this in my heart and now need tissue. Splendid poem, heart wrenching feel exquisitely delivered. Sniff, sniff and hugs ... CayCay

Michelo Mweetwa

Date: 11/2/2019 4:59:00 AM

Beautiful and thoughtful writing!

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 11/1/2019 9:59:00 AM

You exhibited an real understanding. Congratulations on #1.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 11/1/2019 6:27:00 AM

A well deserved #1 on best poems chart..a powerful write, Jan..both in content and its message. Congratulations!!

Linda Milgate

Date: 10/30/2019 2:46:00 PM

Wonderful and very true poem, experienced it so much myself, Give to a Weds Lunch at vet memorial where almost everyone has a dog or some a cat, We bring the dogs and cat food and leashes, others bring lunch. Homeless Veterans. The greed now is nuts. Maybe we should do a contest on poetry and greed! And/or kindness. Sigh.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/31/2019 1:20:00 PM

What a wonderful idea to give to the vet's pets and care for their owners too, there are some wonderful charities out there:-) hugs Jan xx

John Hamilton

Date: 10/30/2019 10:32:00 AM

Congrats Jan on a top win, and also rating high on the new top 100. (I was going to say congrats on your #2 poem, but decided against it...did I just say it?)

Jan Allison
Date: 10/31/2019 1:19:00 PM

oh thanks so much for the comment and telling me of my #2 position. I have little time on soup recently so rarely get to see the lists:-) hugs Jan xx

Ts Poetry

Date: 10/29/2019 12:30:00 PM

I'd love to see this continued into a longer tale or even book...a fav

Jan Allison
Date: 10/31/2019 1:17:00 PM

aww thanks for the confidence booster TS, I do write the odd serious poem:-)hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/19/2019 1:43:00 PM

This is fantastic that you placed second with this heart warming poem, jan. I had not seen it before. Wonderful job. Congratulations.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/28/2019 4:00:00 AM

Thanks Andrea, have just come back from London and saw many homeless on the streets:-( hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/12/2019 9:04:00 AM

Great story telling, congrats on top winin my contest.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/28/2019 3:59:00 AM

Thanks for the inspiration Rick:-) hugs Jan xx

Arturo Michael

Date: 10/10/2019 8:44:00 AM

A really classy write...full of character and expressions..."This is no life, just a way of surviving another day" I like it

Jan Allison
Date: 10/10/2019 9:55:00 AM

Thanks Arturo:-) hugs Jan xx

Ann Gilmour

Date: 10/10/2019 4:07:00 AM

So many congrats Jan for your first place win with this most poignant write. Sadly these poor souls are all around us and I cannot imagine what it must be like to be abandoned and homeless with no light at the end of their tunnel. A truly amazing write that received a well deserved top place, well done Jan. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Jan Allison
Date: 10/10/2019 4:30:00 AM

There are those truly in dire straits, but I observed on young lass in birkenhead begging in a doorway, she had flawless make up, perfectly manicured gel nails, a top of the range mobile phone she leaps up when her mobile rings and jumps into a taxi to meet her friend who is at at a better pitch saying its dire here today ,but yesterday I made nearly £150!Hugs Jan xx

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/9/2019 3:01:00 PM

So many on the streets. So sad when home life had them suffering so they’d rather live on the street.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/10/2019 4:25:00 AM

Thanks kim;-) hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 10/9/2019 12:53:00 PM

This is so excellent Jan. So deserving of your First placement. This caused a lump in my throat. Congratulations on your wonderful win. When you recognize a homeless person by asking them their name, it means more to them than people realize. It shows you really care. Of course giving them food is what they also need, but giving them their dignity is also very important. xxoo

Jan Allison
Date: 10/9/2019 2:58:00 PM

Thanks for the very insightful comment Connie, I'm so delighted with the win but also with the wonderful comments I've received:-) hugs jan xx

John Hamilton

Date: 10/9/2019 10:02:00 AM

A very touching write Jan, I too met a homeless man a few days ago, helped him a little, this write is special, glad Rick rewarded this quality write with a top win!

Jan Allison
Date: 10/9/2019 2:57:00 PM

Thanks so much John, I wrote this at the last minute and am so delighted to gain a top spot with Rick, I do write the odd proper poem these days:-):-) :-) hugs Jan xx

Lu Loo

Date: 10/9/2019 8:11:00 AM

jan, what a poem, so well expressed, congrats on your win dear lady:)-luloo

Jan Allison
Date: 10/9/2019 2:56:00 PM

Thanks so much LuLoo:-) hugs jan xx

Winged Warrior

Date: 10/9/2019 5:37:00 AM

Great entry Jan...Congrats!! on the win my friend...^WW^ :o)

Jan Allison
Date: 10/9/2019 2:56:00 PM

thanks ^WW^:-) hugs jan xx