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About This Poem

Love in the Afternoon


As he fed the pigeons
I couldn’t help but wonder
what he did at other times
of the day.

In my young mind
he couldn’t be rich
or why would he
be wasting time on a bench? 

His shoes, well scuffed,
but not “disgraceful”
as the nuns used to say, 
gave a “been somewhere” impression

While tying his right shoe lace, 
his rising eye caught mine.
He raised his hand with the brown bag of food
as though to say “feed the birds with me”

and smiled the grin of the wise.
I’d wished to avoid his eyes;
hadn’t enough time to greet that face.
I was on my way to another place.

No time to greet that face
open….
face of time and peace
simple….
mug of contentment lacking in guile.
Wish…. 
I’d stayed and returned his smile.


© Kathryn McL. Collins

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  1. Date: 12/21/2012 9:36:00 PM

    kathryn collins, stopping by with my warmest thoughts~ my best wishes go out to you and your family. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year* Always & Forever ;-) PD

  1. Date: 12/7/2012 10:38:00 PM

    Memories live on. There will always be more birds to feed. Enjoyed your poem.

  1. Date: 11/23/2012 1:56:00 PM

    This reminds me of Dylan Thomas' poem 'Hunchback In The Park...' how often we turn away from friendship proffered because we have somewhere else to be, or because we make a value judgment based on appearance. This poem speaks volumes... BRAVO Kathy! Love Keith

  1. Date: 11/22/2012 12:57:00 PM

    ‡ Passing Back Through Your Beauty's Wonderful Verse In Heartful A Twist Unto A Muse, Sweet Beautiful Kathryn. Mainly Because I Love Love This Box I Chose To Com. Maybe She Was Too Busy Upon Reread Perhaps, Plotting Her Next, Something Or Another ? Thank You For The Vis And Shall Do, Or At Least Take Notes. 'Happy Thanksgiving.' Love, Rachel *

  1. Date: 11/19/2012 12:39:00 PM

    Life is full of missed opportunities. I think you described this one quite well. Peace & Love Matthew Anish

  1. Date: 11/18/2012 9:31:00 PM

    I love this! The image of the man sitting on the bench and the thoughts it produces in people has been created very well. Nicely done Kathryn!

  1. Date: 11/18/2012 8:13:00 AM

    Oh my this is great! Just loved the ending. What are you up to today? Light & Love

  1. Date: 11/17/2012 4:35:00 PM

    Hi Kathy - Can relate to this poem. Like your other poems, it gets me thinking. Seems wistful. Sometimes I wonder about the people that are on the planet that I just don't have time to connect to in the way that I would like to. Even returning the smile without staying might just be all the other person needs. - Gail

  1. Date: 11/8/2012 10:46:00 AM

    Wonderful 'portrait' of what coulda/shoulda/mighta been... Sometimes, when I'm pensive, I wonder about things... Love, Terry

  1. Date: 11/8/2012 8:14:00 AM

    What a precise and beautiful expression of wistfulness. Very lovely scene, John

  1. Date: 11/6/2012 8:14:00 PM

    Kathryn, aweee.. a sweet ending... pd

  1. Date: 11/6/2012 7:21:00 PM

    Love this poem Kathryn!Great write.Enjoyed very much.

  1. Date: 11/6/2012 5:44:00 PM

    Another gem from you Kathryn!...I am astounded by the sparse comments on you poems!...Send out LOADS of comments and get yourself exposed!...I know it's kinda phony, etc...but that's the way the game is played, I'm afraid - Tim

  1. Date: 11/6/2012 3:39:00 PM

    ‡ Yeap, Living In A Time When Things Sometimes Ofttimes Seem To Spin A Million Miles A Moment, Sweet Beautiful Kathryn. Hey, How About You And I Go See If We Can Find, The Time Of Day And We'll Ask It, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Does Anybody Really Care, If So I Can't Imagine Why, We'll All Got Time Enough To Cry, LOL. I Felt Your Beautiful Poem Through And Through And It Was Beautiful. My Love To You, Always, Rachel *