Brian Sambourne Poet Free verse

Co-habitation

homeless man on the edge of the park
         devours his gifted pizza
crumbs stick to his dirt streaked face like layers
                                                           of public disdain
people about regard him a walking virus

homeless man scents the air with squalor 
his torn clothes proclaim the cheapness of rags
an untidy emptiness
      a life throttled by dysfunction 
      as dark as a closed theatre 

How can we turn pumpkins into coaches?
What restores a life uprooted?

this man, stooped, ungainly like tall weeds,
                 pinches bits of pizza crust thrown to birds
                         that gather about his wounded wildness
a salvage gesture to feed the birds
    a clarity to nourish what's unprotected
    to stow away grief
    to worry about his next meal
                    implanted, 
                               like a field under seeded



Poem Composed October 7, 2021
Contest: This or That Volume 7
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

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

Thomas Wells October 29, 2021 at 5:29 PM It reminds me of how we criminalize homelessness. People who we treat as invisible. You have humanized him. -Thomas Brian Sambourne October 29, 2021 at 7:36 PM Thank you, Thomas, for your stop by + insights. The homeless man knew the good of spreading charity. An urban scene to give us pause, an image to ponder. Be well. Sincerely Brian

Gary Radice October 26, 2021 at 4:19 AM I'm catching up with my reading and echo all that's been said Brian. An excellent poem with that unflinching Sambourne touch that adds poignancy and depth to your words. Cheers - Gary Brian Sambourne October 26, 2021 at 6:39 AM Hello Gary, your supportive words are a tonic to one's pen. Thank you sincerely for your thoughtfulness. Be well. Brian

Paulette Calasibetta October 16, 2021 at 1:50 PM Congratulations on your well deserved win. " What happens when direction goes missing"....says it all.... Excellent. Blessings, Paulette Brian Sambourne October 16, 2021 at 7:17 PM Thanks very much, Paulette, for your stop by + supportive comment. Best wishes, Brian

Paula Goldsmith October 13, 2021 at 8:49 AM Congratulations on your win. What a wonderful yet sad story/write. True for too many. Have a blessed day with your win............... Brian Sambourne October 13, 2021 at 3:26 PM Greetings Paula, I hope that you are well. My appreciation for your thoughtful visit to my small posting. Thank you for the congratulations. The homeless fellow demonstrated sincere humanity by realizing the birds needed feeding too. What we see as surface degradation may (in fact) drape a good heart. Best wishes, Brian

Andrea Dietrich October 11, 2021 at 4:01 PM I really like your take on degradation. It's very innovative and I hope you scored high with it. Oh wow, I see you got first place. Congrats on a well deserved win Brian Sambourne October 11, 2021 at 4:28 PM Thank you, Andrea. I appreciate your affirmative message as you are one of most remarkable poets on poetrysoup.com. There isn't a poetic form that you haven't mastered. Wellness and happiness to you always, Brian

Ann Peck October 10, 2021 at 7:52 AM Brian, Your poem is so sad and beautiful, and masterfully written. Congratulations on First Place!!! Brian Sambourne October 10, 2021 at 11:37 AM Hello Ann, You are quite right - there was a deep sadness in this fellow awash in poverty, and yet he found solace in feeding the birds. It became a scene of kind reciprocity. Thank you for the visit to my page. There are other poems of uplifting scenes to discover that offset melancholy.. Be well. Brian

Harry Horsman October 10, 2021 at 2:28 AM Subject matter on a far too common sight today, Brian, The visual aspect is superb, but love the poetic bits, like, 'layers of public disdain' ungainly weeds. I see its a winner, i'm not surprised. Brian Sambourne October 10, 2021 at 6:00 AM Greetings Harry. Your supportive words are encouraging indeed. Hope that your health is fine + that you continue to pen fine postings. Brian

Christuraj Alex October 9, 2021 at 10:06 PM "What is the measure of degradation? What happens when direction goes missing?" Very thought-provoking questions. Great Work. Congratulations! Brian Sambourne October 10, 2021 at 5:58 AM Thank you Christuraj. Very thoughtful of you to leave a congratulatory comment. Be well. Brian

Vijay Pandit October 9, 2021 at 1:22 PM Glad to be engrossed in your powerful vocabulary, Brian. BIG congrats on your splendid win at the TOP of #1. Brian Sambourne October 9, 2021 at 1:47 PM Hello Vijay. So good of you to read my entry + post such declarative support. Thank you immensely. Best wishes, Brian

Sotto Poet October 9, 2021 at 10:05 AM Brian, you have done an excellent job and deserve to be congratulated on your contest victory with your inspiring poem. Best wishes Brian Sambourne October 9, 2021 at 12:01 PM Greetings, Lasaad. Praise from such a fine poet as yourself is a grand gift indeed. Take care. I look forward to your next posting. Sincerest regards, Brian

Jenna Logan October 9, 2021 at 9:13 AM Those who are truly kind are the ones who put the needs of others before themselves, and that includes birds. Well done and congratulations on your contest win with this inspirational poem, Brian. Brian Sambourne October 9, 2021 at 12:06 PM Very insightful words, Jenna. Your observations spark a poet's pen. Thank you for your read of my poem + the supportive remarks. Take care + best wishes as you continue to write. Brian

Regina Mcintosh October 9, 2021 at 9:02 AM Congrats on this amazing write. Wonderful - God bless you dear friend. Love, Gina Brian Sambourne October 9, 2021 at 12:02 PM Hello Gina. Your thoughtfulness has no limits. Thank you heartily for your drop by + gracious comments. You are much valued on Poetrysoup.com. Brian

Sam Kauffman October 9, 2021 at 8:46 AM Brian, congratulations on your win. This poem is filled with stunning imagery that gives your words a real wallop - a gut punch. But, there is a tenderness in the picture of the man feeding the birds from his poverty. Wonderfully done. A fav for me. All the best. Brian Sambourne October 9, 2021 at 12:11 PM Greetings Sam. Thank you for the affirming assessment of my piece. As always, your insights have weight + truth. There was, indeed, compassion, humanity within this homeless fellow. Best wishes, Brian

Edward Ibeh October 9, 2021 at 8:38 AM Heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest with this stunning gem, Brian:-) Brian Sambourne October 9, 2021 at 12:04 PM My sincerest appreciation for the recognition you've given my entry. One never knows what startling urban images our multicultural city will provide. Thank you again. Brian

Sara Kendrick October 9, 2021 at 6:48 AM Reads like a very good contender to me. Way to go. I enjoyed reading this emotive and descriptive work. I don't live where this is really visible but we used to go to a larger city quite often and there was a homeless man who would stand by the interstate at a off ramp. I think he was begging but he would have a grocery store cart with things in it. One day we stopped by a McDonalds on the way home and he was in there getting out of the cold I guess. The store manager gave him coffee and food. Brian Sambourne October 9, 2021 at 8:20 AM Thank you, Sara, for your detailed descriptive response to my small submission. Your shared experience is a poem in itself. I tend to look for urban scenes to stir my pen, though I am fortunate to have a small cabin in the forest too. Hence the link to nature. The fallen in our cities truly stir the heart. Poverty, depravation are a world wide scourge. Fortunately there are small acts of charity. Take care of yourself dear lady. Cheers, Brian Sara Kendrick October 9, 2021 at 6:51 AM Then we noticed after that when we stopped by that McDonald's they would give him some food and drink all the time. It was very evident that he had schizophrenia. It wasn't too long after the last time we saw him. He was hit by a 18 wheeler. His a sad story that he fell throw the cracks of getting help. Sara

Sotto Poet October 8, 2021 at 10:11 AM An exquisitely written poem, Brian; your emotional tale is rich in the beautiful metaphors you've used as well as the issues raised - and the last stanza is just breathtaking: What is the measure of degradation? What happens when direction goes missing? Brian Sambourne October 8, 2021 at 10:21 AM Thank you, Lasaad. I much admire your posted work, hence your supportive comments certainly bring light to this autumn day. Be well. With appreciation, Brian

Susan Woodrow October 7, 2021 at 9:33 PM Love the similes and metaphors you’ve used here as well as the questions posed - the ending stanza is awesome:) Brian Sambourne October 8, 2021 at 6:01 AM Thanks very much, Susan. The write is based on my observation of a homeless man struggling in a downtown park. Appreciate your feedback immensely. Best wishes, Brian