Alms For the Poor

Alms! shouted the beggar, as the royal carriage went by, But just then, an arrow flew past, piercing the kings eye, Killing him instantly, it penetrated his brain, Beggar is still mumbling, “lucky sod felt no pain.” Perception can be misleading, changes all the time, One second have everything, next a victim of circumstance or crime, But abject sufferings can make us begrudge, even a demise, For there are fates worse than death, in the unfortunate ones eyes. And this a lesson for all, take each moment as arrives, No matter how we plan our future, destiny will always surprise, Different for the beggar, who can’t see their next meal, Bolt out of the blue comes, business as usual no big deal. How life pans out changes, from one step to the next, Like to think we’re in control, but it’s complete randomness, Something to bear in mind, as you walk out that door, By the time it closes behind, ten beggars are dead, replaced by twenty more. Luck, misfortune, providence, unavoidable chaos, All have our name on them, impossible to evade, Dodged a bullet for now, the magazine remains full, Forever in its crosshairs, trigger aching to be pulled. By David Kavanagh