Ann Gilmour Poet Free verse

Each Night At Ten

They stand in line 
their heads bowed low
bedraggled and unkempt
a shocking sight 
this day and age 
their sorry plight  
to sleep at night
not in a warm and cosy bed
but in a doorway 
in the cold 
and in the rain
instead

The queue for daily sustenance
snakes right around the block
no talking 
they wait patiently
to ease their hunger pangs
but who can ease their mind pains
as they scuttle off to eat
some with barely rags to wear
with nothing on their feet

I feel so guilty walking by
heading for my bed
I pray they can be saved
for how much more 
can they endure

Borne from mothers
babes in arms 
just like you and I
what happened to
these poor lost souls
they queue for food
these hungry men
heads bowed low
each night at ten



Written 21st May 2019

5th PLACE
Contest Name: CONTEST 600,ANY FREE VERSE ,ANY THEME
Sponsor: Brian Strand

2nd PLACE
Contest Compassion 
Sponsor Line Gauthier

PREMIER CONTEST
Contest:Favourite Poem from May, 2019
Sponsor: Julia Ward

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Kai Michael Neumann June 13, 2019 at 4:07 AM Guilty you are not, because you wrote this poem and have shown compassion. Writing is a wonderful start to the journey of kindness. Best wishes, Kai Ann Gilmour June 13, 2019 at 4:14 AM Bless you Kai for your kind comments and welcome visit. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Susan Ashley June 2, 2019 at 8:25 PM I was captivated by your compassionate poem, Ann. A haunting piece expressed with poetic beauty. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan Ann Gilmour June 2, 2019 at 11:55 PM Thank you so much Susan, I really appreciate your visit and your beautiful comments - thank you! With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Panagiota Romios May 22, 2019 at 5:18 PM Here in the USA, Anne, it's not like a scene from a " Christmas Carol". The so called poor are used as political pawns. Hence cities like San Francico and LA the weather is comfortable and great for tents People are not starving. IN SF, the city is covered with needles and feces. The so called poor insult you or urunate on you. Maybe different in the UK! I Do appreciate your compassion, Anne. Ann Gilmour May 25, 2019 at 3:32 AM Oh dear Panagiota, that does sound most unpleasant, it's as if they seem to be alienating themselves from the rest of society, but maybe they have such a low self esteem and can only express themselves through anger? Thank you for your visit, with kindest thoughts Ann xx

Vijay Pandit May 21, 2019 at 7:45 AM You speak from the heart and give them a voice--they certainly have none without the kind wishes and generosity of people like you. Even in the United States (where I live) that scene you describe is evident in some form in parts of the cities. Your poems are elegant in simplicity, Ann. Ann Gilmour May 22, 2019 at 5:06 PM Thank you so much for your wonderful comments Vijay and I appreciate your kind visit. What a terrible dilemma this has become and it seems to be getting worse with nobody seeming to be doing much about it! With kindest thoughts Ann xx