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He Haunts the Back Streets

He haunts the back streets
  hugging the sides of buildings
Unseen, unfelt, unloved
  a statistic in a dusty cabinet file

Raising up on sole-less shoes
  He sneaks a view from the alley
ice on every windowpane
  conversations mixing with steam

He slinks to the edge of town
  to the bridge o'er the rushing river
Would God care if he took his life ~
  his lips involuntarily quivered

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Lindsay Laurie

Date: 11/26/2021 7:35:00 PM

Hello Gershon ... certainly a sad poem. Often I wonder how people in a situation like this survive in winter - thank you Gershon - Lindsay

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/27/2021 7:14:00 PM

You know, many don't. I always look to see how many of the beggars at a certain intersection near me don't come back the next year. Others do come back. They tell me 'This one and that one didn't make it.' Capitalism's darker side. ~ Not a socialist, but...

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/24/2021 10:26:00 PM

This poem reflects a side most hope none ever see.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/27/2021 7:13:00 PM

Yeah, and when we see it, we avert our eyes...

Valsa George

Date: 11/23/2021 8:01:00 PM

So sad ! Such scenes will haunt us for long ! Definitely the one born in the manger will care... ! Who else? Powerfully presented Gershon !

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/23/2021 8:17:00 PM

Thank you for (all of) the encouragement, Valsa. Here's to Daylight and Delight, Gershon

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 11/23/2021 7:56:00 PM

There for the grace of God go we, thankfully. Bless all the homeless, pray for their prosperity… Belle

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/23/2021 8:16:00 PM

That's what I say: Pretty paper, pretty pencils of blue... ~ Willie Nelson

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 11/23/2021 1:36:00 PM

Sole-less shoes…soulless perhaps…that question Would God care…really wants to know if he’s there. Great work, Gershon!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/23/2021 3:14:00 PM

I think He cares, especially about the Widow, the Orphan, the Stranger, and the Poor. He is their de facto Father. Blessings, gw

Rico Leffanta

Date: 11/23/2021 11:08:00 AM

If we are to believe psychics, earth is crawling with souls creeping around in search of another way out of their misery other than becoming responsible for their own thoughts and actions . . . .

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/23/2021 3:05:00 PM

That is, of course, a fairly big if... believing in Psychics, that is...

John Lawless

Date: 11/23/2021 9:32:00 AM

...and yet to most who see him/her they are invisible....

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/23/2021 3:05:00 PM

Invisibility has its disadvantages, doesn't it? ~ M.J.

Alexis Y.

Date: 11/23/2021 5:29:00 AM

WoW! Gershon, What a deep and heart-stirring write. You painted such a melancholy image with your words. In my opinion, God would care. Well done my friend-Alexis

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/23/2021 3:03:00 PM

I think that God would care too, Alexis. After all, He is the Father of the Widow, the Orphan, the Stranger --- and the Poor! When they are happy, so is He! Season's best, Gershon

Judy Ball

Date: 11/23/2021 1:38:00 AM

This is such a sad piece Gershon and all too true for many who people turn away from because they don't wish to see their plight. Well done. God Bless, JB

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/23/2021 2:59:00 PM

It's true. Most people turn away from such misery. Here's to happiness and health, Judy. :) gw