Notes About The Poem

A poem based on a real chracter whom I used to see everyday as our house is by the side of a busy road. He has always been an inspiration to me ! So sad...two months back, he died of Covid

A Rag Picker

Sometime after midnight, it had rained Putting out summer’s sultry heat The sky had its face washed clean And wiped the grime off Earth’s soiled feet The dawn is quietly breaking Night lights still glimmer here and there The blue firmament remains cloudless And cool is the mild blowing air The sleeping town is slowly waking up And at this transitional point I look out into the street To see a sight that shall never disappoint Along the road moves one, ragged and withered His discolored white hair left unkempt With hunch back and drooping shoulders The marks Time has left of the hard years spent Though age has drained his life sap away He has a firm resolve never to beg His frail body supported on a stick Serves as a veritable third leg With his staff, he perseveringly stirs Every heap of abandoned rubbish Indiscriminately piled on either side of the road Hunting for trinkets lying hidden in the trash A rag picker with a sack on his back Picking up today’s treasure From yesterday’s discarded trash Things, for him ‘priceless’ beyond measure With complaints none He faces life and its trials Never losing the glitter in his eyes Though a loner in life’s dark isles I ask myself, why every day I routinely look for this man who limps along And I get a quick answer ‘He helps you turn your sobs into a song’
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Proxenos Avatar
March 20, 2022 at 6:36 AM
i can relate to this poem and every word you wrote about this person, we had one also that roamed our area and who used to go through everyone's rubbish separating plastics, glass and paper and put them on a trolley everyday and went to sell them to recycling merchants, - he also disappeared from sight one day during the pandemic. Beautiful write Valsa as always. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Krutsinger Avatar
March 18, 2022 at 9:04 AM
Straight to my FAVE list.
Wolf Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 6:33 PM
Much to be admired here, Valsa: Your sparkling narrative and the hero's indomitable courage. Bravo! :) Gershon
Brown Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 1:46 PM
Valsa. What a heartfelt and moving story. You did an excellent job of telling the story. Blessings ~ Debra
Leffanta Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 11:36 AM
Perhaps he read the Kama Sutra and believed he should fulfill his role in life to the best of his ability and without complaint? If so, he enlightened you, exactly as the Kama Sutra predicts! Aloha!
Poet Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 10:30 AM
I can see that he had a substantial impact on you in a range of methods. As I read your poem, I can visualize the rag finder in my mind's eye since you portrayed him so well. He passed, which is sad, but he left you with a message, which you describe so eloquently in the final sentence.
Buhagiar Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 6:39 AM
I can never stop admiring your poems. A great character brought to to life. Well done as always.
Pandit Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 4:24 AM
You described the rag picker so well his image comes forth as I read your poem. I can feel that he touched you in many ways. So sad he died, but he left you with a message that you so eloquently convey in the ending line.
George Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 6:31 AM
He has touched me in many ways.... so true, Vijay ! I have learned that he has been staying somewhere in close vicinity ! Each time when I saw him, he had a pleasant demeanor ! He used to remind me of Wordsworth's Leech gatherer.....! Thanks a lot !
Vangaveti Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 2:48 AM
"Picking up today’s treasure From yesterday’s discarded trash" This is amazing!!! Just loved the way you paid respects to his way of living that doesn't stoop to begging!!
George Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 6:26 AM
In his younger days he used to do all sorts of odd jobs ! Later in life when his health started declining, he became a rag picker ! Thank you Swetha for your kind visit !
Cunningham Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 2:16 AM
So sad Valsa, even though you might not have known him personally he was still a part of your life A lovely tribute to him. Tom
George Avatar
March 17, 2022 at 6:24 AM
You are absolutely right Tom ! Till recently he was religiously doing his job. I have been seeing him since the last several years. On hearing of his death I felt so heavy ! Thank you...
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