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The Cardboard Man of My Fair City

Some guys along the freeway exits stand with cardboard signs that read: Will work for food. The sympathetic folks reach out and hand these guys some money if they’re in the mood. And other poor souls don’t just stand. They live inside of cardboard shanties that they rig. Some beg for anything that we might give and some, too proud to beg, through dumpsters dig. But there’s one cardboard man dressed like a clown (who, if he shows his real face, I sure pity), He waves a sign while jumping up and down along a busy block of my fair city. He gets no cash, just strange looks or some yuks. The sign says: Get our pizza. Just five bucks! (I know this was supposed to be more serious, but when I asked hubbie what cardboard man made him think of, he said that pizza guy on the corner, and I just had to do it this way!!) For Paula Swanson's Do You Know The Cardboard Man? Poetry Contest

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John Watt

Date: 9/27/2020 8:58:00 PM

Like Harry said below (many years ago) your sonnet writing is legendary. This one took a crazy turn from handout guys and homeless guys to pizza guys, in a way only you could pull off. Hugs, bugs

Robin Davis

Date: 6/24/2014 8:43:00 AM

Andrea What a sad and painful poem about homelessness and the poor. You captured it so well. The pizza verse is more fun and silly. Thank you for the nice comment on my Sea Of Life poem.

Daver Austin

Date: 6/25/2013 9:51:00 AM

An unusual soul, either with a fine sense of humor or he is totally bananas. Love this golden oldie. Love, daver

Harry Horsman

Date: 2/6/2013 7:55:00 AM

i remember this contest, no wonder i did not win with this brilliant sonnet in there,, your sonnets are legendry, as are you and your beautiful poetry..

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 11/30/2011 1:04:00 PM

Thank you for your kind comments on my writing. They are very much appreciated Andrea. Love, Carol

Joe Maverick

Date: 10/30/2011 11:53:00 AM

a different take i see here Andrea,, hope it does well in the contest..

Margaret Foster

Date: 10/27/2011 7:39:00 PM

Off the extreme north :-)

Margaret Foster

Date: 10/27/2011 7:38:00 PM

It takes all sorts to make the world and although many are in unfortunate circumstances, others are there by choice.( mine, not yet posted.) I like your hubbie's input... good one...Margaret P.S. The Shetland isles are of the extreme north of Scotland.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 10/27/2011 6:28:00 PM

Witty take on the contest in the last verse, Andrea. As for the rest of the poem, I think you painted a sad picture of our nation's homeless very eloquently. Best wishes in the contest. Love, Carolyn

Carol Sunshine Brown

Date: 10/27/2011 12:29:00 PM

Stopping by to thank you for your kind comments on my writing Andrea. I enjoyed reading yours today and wish you the best in the contest and in life as well. Love, Carol

Carrie Richards

Date: 10/27/2011 9:10:00 AM

I think in every town or city, we see these same people, sometimes in under the scalding hot sun, or freezing cold, they'll still be out there. I remember the first one I ever saw out there, I thought it was some crazy stunt...now there are so many we hardly notice. But still leaves me thinking of how unfair the world sometimes seems, that we can pass them by without a glance. Good job on this poem!!

Nette Onclaud

Date: 10/26/2011 10:16:00 PM

so much of poverty here in my country, heartie... a sensiyive with a teist, whoot! :) huggs!

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 10/26/2011 6:26:00 PM

I enjoyed the way you have created the cardboard man and that too with a lovely sonnet, Andrea

Natalie The Rogue Rhymer

Date: 10/26/2011 5:55:00 PM

Andrea-Wow that is a interesting 'take' on the contest-that is what you do best...think outside the box :) I think she will love it and place it high. Much luck to you hon!

Judy Ball

Date: 10/26/2011 5:24:00 PM

A nice job Andrea. We all feel sorry for those guys standing there asking for anything we can throw their way. I pray someone can help them. God Bless, JB

Robert Johnson

Date: 10/26/2011 3:35:00 PM

He made a sign, it wasn't pretty. The cardboard man of your fair city. He stood there waiting for God's grace. With the worlds reflection on his face. He stands there in the light of day. Then builds his walls when night has it's way. The rains will come, the winds will blow. And tomorrow will come and no one will know.

Wilma Neels

Date: 10/26/2011 3:11:00 PM

I love that you asked hubbie for his opinion Andrea, hope your week's been good, love Wilma

Daver Austin

Date: 10/26/2011 12:46:00 PM

I love the implication. We have a mall in my fair city of Saginaw, just full of cardboard men - people who never touch, with vacant expressions. Maybe you didn't intend to project this image, but I couldn't help bringing it to mind. Hey! That be some very reasonable price for pizza. MAMMA MIA! Luck in the contest. Love, daver

Cyndi Macmillan

Date: 10/26/2011 11:50:00 AM

Dang short comments. Should just Soup Mail Ya. I was thinking, the working poor are very close to being "cardboard people". Minimum wage doesn't get you much... basically a room, minimal groceries and public transit. Not an easy life...

Cyndi Macmillan

Date: 10/26/2011 11:48:00 AM

Oh, just came back from renewing my healthcard. In Canada, we do have great healthcare but you need a valid card (photo ID) and it must be renewed every few years. Just got home, my hubby and daughter are asleep on the sofa. She's on his chest and his chin is in her hair. THIS MORNING THE FIRE ALARM WENT OFF. My neighbours and I congregrated on the front drive of the building. Firefighters in full geer show upl Monkey girl looks at firetrucks, claps and yells, "COOL!". She's a card!

Cyndi Macmillan

Date: 10/26/2011 11:43:00 AM

Hey, witty take. You are like me in this way, always thinking "outside the box". Not sure what my take on it will be. We recently had a 'cardboard man' die in our city. His street name was "dreadlocks". I may write about him. hope this places up there for originality! My girl had a hurt hand, just recently, which had us 'rushing' to the hospital in a bus. She proceeded to shake the nurses hand, high five her and play with toys, all with her INJURED hand. Now have more gray hair. Need dye job.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 10/26/2011 11:25:00 AM

Yes, we have Little Ceasar's cardboard men that stand with the sign in all kinds of weather..That has to be a rough job..Enjoyed reading this one..Thanks for stopping by, reading, and commenting on my work..No I did not write that for a contest..I am just writing some as the Spirit moves...I need to look at the contest and see what is up again...Sara

Barbara Gorelick

Date: 10/26/2011 10:27:00 AM

Big points for creativity...I watch a man on the same corner very day after work..with a pizza sign. I wish I had the nerve to ask him about his life. Well done as usual. BG

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 10/26/2011 10:16:00 AM

unique and interesting write Andrea and Joe's input works.. it is a cool way to end this piece.. serious in the beginning with expert rhyme and then the little kick at the end.. great write my friend.. lots of good luck in the contest...

Jack Horne

Date: 10/26/2011 7:05:00 AM

LOL, I love this witty take on the contest. Here's the link for Racy Pages' 'Stretched' anthology http://www.racypages.com/stretched_pg.html I had a tongue in cheek 'flasher' printed in their last antho and I think yours would go down a treat with them : )