A Stranger In a Red Scarf
Most of the buildings were made of old red brick
They lined the street in regal fashion
A royal guard of centuries past
The blinding white sun forced shadow to sidewalk
as an old woman, bags in hand, walked along
I studied her
I really don’t now why
She wore a drab brown coat, a bit tattered,
her head covered by a bright red crimson scarf
but it was her face which captured me
It was her expression
I could see such sadness, perhaps loneliness in her eyes
Her skin ravaged by the punishment of life,
her gait was slow and as I watched, I wondered
Had she just come from market
Was she headed home to an empty house
Why did she look so sad
I felt such compassion
I wanted to help her
That was my first glimpse of struggle
I was just a small boy, holding my Grandmother’s hand
And it was so long ago
Yet I never forgot her
The stranger in a red scarf
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
