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- The Right To Smell -

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07.10.2023

Anne-Lise Andresen
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Get into the conversation Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Eve Roper

1st place in the contest

Outside the bakery's window, my brother and me. Without a single penny for desire. Meringues that looked as white peonies, sweet cakes that smelled heavenly. Plenty of freshly baked rolls, my brother never had taste. A "poor man's" wish, the right to smell. What heaven has chosen hungers tyrant? Not everyone understands misery. In the falling snow, thin worn out clothes and wet feet - life is already a challenge. Snow-covered pavement, shoes without soles Dear righteous virgin send us strength. Fate does not smile, courage and hope crushed. The pale aspect when life is at its worst. My brother whispers: "hungry"

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Tom Woody

Date: 2/20/2025 6:32:00 AM

Going back over my fave poems today. I remember how much this moved me at the time. No child should ever be hungry. And yet we know millions are.

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 2/20/2025 6:36:00 AM

- True ... and think about how much food we throw away in the trash :(

Len Gasun

Date: 10/23/2023 7:08:00 AM

You have beautifully painted the picture with your creative and lovely words my dear poet friend Anne-Lise. Congratulations on your first win! Thanks for sharing. God bless you always and your writings. Hugs

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/22/2023 10:32:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. I love your line, "A "poor man's" wish, the right to smell. " So True. Hugs... Have a blessed day writing away............

Hilo Poet

Date: 10/21/2023 4:36:00 PM

Aloha, Anne-Lise! A pensiveness accommodates me, stemming from your distinctive Free Verse, which hails from your title, that transcends, reflective of your unique style! A worthy 1st placement, my friend! Mahalo, William

Silent One

Date: 10/21/2023 8:23:00 AM

You captured the image so well.. Congratulations on your win..

Eve Roper

Date: 10/20/2023 11:04:00 PM

Anne-Lise, a great heartfelt and moving poem. Thank you for taking part in the contest and congratulations on your win. God bless you

Gail Debole

Date: 10/12/2023 3:55:00 PM

Hi Anne-Lise - Everyone in this world deserves the basics to live and grow. It is sad that - presently - this still is not the case. That some people are so poor that their right to food is reduced to only a right to look and perhaps smell. Your moving words illustrate so well what is suggested in the picture. - Gail

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 10/11/2023 7:47:00 PM

Let them eat cake Marie-Antoinette said when the poor couldn’t afford to buy bread. Not all folk could afford cake long ago as your poem says, and some not even these days. A very moving poem Ann-Lise, all the best for the contest… Belle

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 10/10/2023 8:47:00 AM

This is delightful my dear Anne-Lise. A charming if saddening write. Well done! :)

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/22/2023 10:34:00 AM

- Many thanks Linda, for your lovely comment :) - hugs

J. Summers

Date: 10/8/2023 3:43:00 PM

What the artist did with his brush you did with your pen, nicely done. John

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/22/2023 10:32:00 AM

- Thank you very much, John :) - hugs

Jay Narain

Date: 10/8/2023 12:30:00 PM

Thoughtful and humbling poem. People who have should help who do not have. A child's wish fulfilled is worth millions of bucks.

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/22/2023 10:33:00 AM

- Agreed, Jay :) - Many thanks for your lovely comment :) - hugs

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 10/8/2023 10:46:00 AM

Time will come when we will give an account for leaving helpless persons hungry. Reminds me of the parable of the rich man and the beggar. Blessings.

Joe Dimino

Date: 10/8/2023 5:46:00 AM

"What heaven has chosen hungers tyrant? Not everyone understands misery." Not a choice of Heaven. "My brother whispers: "hungry" We, soulful beings, are often moved more by the hungers of others than that of our own -- it is God's way. It is Heaven's way. Up to us if to be positive change. Blessings my friend. Great writing!

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/10/2023 12:00:00 PM

- Much appreciate your visit and comments Joe, many thanks :) - hugs

Yann Rolland

Date: 10/7/2023 8:12:00 PM

so touching and delicate poem, i rhought to Dickens, Anne lise, this is deep in soul, thanks take care

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/8/2023 4:28:00 AM

- Many thanks for your lovely comment, Yann :) - hugs

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 10/7/2023 4:05:00 PM

no child should ever have to whisper Hungry but sadly I know many do dear friend your words touch me deeply. Thank you for sharing this brilliant version love :) rjn

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/8/2023 4:27:00 AM

- Vie Rose, many thanks for your lovely comment :) - hugs

The Situation

Date: 10/7/2023 3:11:00 PM

A reality of lives long past. today those have turned into thieves and robbers.

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/8/2023 4:32:00 AM

- Have the poor become "thieves and robbers"? - (... maybe some...) - (I wonder if the "rich" have become "rich" in an honest way) - Thank you for your comment, T.S. :) - HUGS

Sara Kendrick

Date: 10/7/2023 2:20:00 PM

A very sad one. There are many in America that are hungry as there are many in all parts of the world. If only, we could see everyone had food, clothing and shelter. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/8/2023 4:26:00 AM

- Many thanks Sara, for your lovely comment :) - hugs

Charles Messina

Date: 10/7/2023 1:36:00 PM

A great write and description of the photo, Anne-Lise. So sad... BOL in the contest! hugs :)

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/8/2023 4:26:00 AM

- Many thanks for your lovely comment, Charlie :) - hugs

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 10/7/2023 1:07:00 PM

You have penned a memory for me. My grandmother had a favorite saying when I was growing up. She would say, "I won't miss what I've never had." Through firsthand experience, I can tell you, she was full of bull****.

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/7/2023 1:20:00 PM

- As children we already learn the difference between poor and rich... - We miss the opportunity to be able to taste... not stand on the outside and never be able to taste the benefits of life - Many thanks for your comment, Jerry :) - hugs

John Lawless

Date: 10/7/2023 6:38:00 AM

that opening tercet - a stab to the heart Anne-Lise. "How can so few have so much and so many have so little" a recurring question we have yet to answer

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/7/2023 6:52:00 AM

- It is a question that I often think about, John - Many thanks for your comment :) - hugs

Silent One

Date: 10/7/2023 6:20:00 AM

Meringues that looked as white peonies, lovely simile.. You created a great poem for this image..

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/7/2023 9:27:00 AM

- Beautiful, sweet temptations ... but no money ... many thanks for the lovely comment, S.O. :) - hugs

Ink Empress

Date: 10/7/2023 5:52:00 AM

Not everyone understand the misery and hunger… so true, you’ve written a very heartfelt poem for this picture. I felt this so deeply! Sigh! Reality for so many breaks my heart. Made me tear up as i read those last lines too. Sigh a fave for me. You have a beautiful heart

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/7/2023 9:30:00 AM

- Crumbs for the poor ... free choice for the rich ... life is unfair ... many thanks for your sensitive comment and your valuable fave, Ink :) - hugs

Tom Woody

Date: 10/7/2023 5:49:00 AM

This is devastating. Penniless, perhaps homeless, and the aroma of freshly baked goods taunting them, yet beyond their reach. You can't help but pray for a benefactor to arrive who will grant them their hearts desire. This theme is dear to my heart, so a fave for me anne-lise

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/7/2023 9:35:00 AM

- A topic that touches most people, I think... - In our "rich world" there is an enormous amount of poverty... - Think of all the food we throw in the trash... it makes me sick... thank you very much your comment and the valuable fave on my writing, Tom :) - hugs

Vijay Pandit

Date: 10/7/2023 5:45:00 AM

I feel the pain of hunger they must feel. You gave voice and meaning to the photo, Anne-Lise. So sad, yet, true to life.

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 10/7/2023 9:37:00 AM

- Unbelievably sad ... many thanks for your comment, Vijay :) - hugs