Virginia Gelok Poet Free verse

Cross Road

As he shuffled toward me I cringed.
Ripped clothes and shoes with flapping soles had alerted me.
I could actually see his sunken cheeks and lips clamped tight.
What was he thinking?

Me, dressed just so. Fancy hair, eyes aglow.
What was he thinking?

My purse clenched tightly.
Do I cross to the other side?
What was he thinking?

Suddenly it came to me,
flooding both my mind and my heart.
I am so very sorry.

I almost forgot that you are as human as I.
I am so sorry.

One thing for sure, apparently you are the stronger one.
I am sure I could not live the life you must.

What was I thinking?

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Kim Rodrigues January 11, 2022 at 6:38 AM We battle this all the time. We see the unpleasant to our minds…not wanting to be in those shoes…but how do we relate when we are face to face. I remember being jarred by a child’s face, so distorted, but he was like any other…sweet, smiling and I treated him thus. We must admit the unpleasantness…but we must have a hamble compassion…could be us…our loved ones. God help us in our dealings. Congratulations on your anthology entry, Virginia! Virginia Gelok January 11, 2022 at 6:33 PM thankyou on the congrats. I try very hard to see beyond whom I am looking at. I know in most cases there is a wonderful person hoping I will say hello or even just smile. Perhaps that will make thier day or turn a person around.

Franci Hoffman June 7, 2021 at 3:54 PM Excellent piece, Virginia, and sends a very important message! Virginia Gelok June 8, 2021 at 5:14 PM I really hope it does. Our world has become a pretty sad place and we need more to think how they would live given the same deal in life. Thankyou for your comment.

Meghan Hutchings June 3, 2021 at 10:37 PM Virginia, I love the way you wrote this poem and intertwined such an impactful message. I encounter these situations often, and I always end up helping because I cannot turn away, but people scold me and say I'm not careful. However, just as your poem portrays, who are we to judge or know what that kind of life is like? That's the theme of many of my poems, but I never attempt free verse. I'm inspired! Well, excellent work! Blessings...Meghan Hutchings Virginia Gelok June 5, 2021 at 8:22 AM and sorry...thankyou for your interest in my verse. I definitely will check yours out too. Virginia Gelok June 5, 2021 at 8:21 AM Good morning...it is such a sad world out there. I do think one must still be cautious and consider where they actually are. No matter where we see these people we really don't know their story and should not look our nose down at them. Good luck in your writings and keep safe.

Eve Roper June 2, 2021 at 5:32 PM Cross Roads, very thrilling write and compassionate at the end. Enjoyed reading ,Virginia. Virginia Gelok June 2, 2021 at 5:59 PM Thankyou...and I hate admitting it but it is based on truth. My truth. Thankyou for the comment.

Ron VanHooser June 2, 2021 at 3:13 PM Virginia, this poem has a potent message, one most of us have faced at one time or another in life. Thank you for sharing! Ron Virginia Gelok June 2, 2021 at 3:36 PM I still find I am hesitant as I am about to pass by, but I have never had to be afraid. Often, a brief smile and nod makes my (or even their) day!

J. Summers March 23, 2021 at 4:31 PM Wow Virginia, loved the poem. You won’t believe how much it resonates with me. My grandmother’s brother was an author and a poet and he wrote one that is so in tune with yours. I’m going to dig it up and soup mail it to you. Have a good one. John