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His Smile

He sits there in a crumpled heap
with head hung low, his scars so deep
A vet who once stood tall and proud
his honor gone, a cruel defeat
sore crippled joints from cold concrete

I slow my pace and want to speak
What can I say?  I feel so meek
I crouch down low to meet his gaze
Perhaps a friendly, kind hello
this sad old vet is not my foe.

Please Help.. scrawled on his cardboard sign
I wept when his old eyes met mine
But he just smiled into my tears
and grasped my hand with crippled claw
my heart was filled with joy and awe

He touched my soul, down on our knees
The sweetest gift he gave to me
A smile was all that he could give
My heart felt love for his old soul
and all I did was say hello.

Copyright © Kim Shaw | Year Posted 2015

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Njeri Hunjeri Date: 3/15/2015 5:37:00 AM Beautiful touching human connections. #7 Login to Reply Kim Shaw Date: 3/15/2015 10:00:00 AM Hi Njeri! Thank you so much for your encouragement and the seven! Have a lovely day my friend. Hugs, Kimberly xx

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser Date: 3/14/2015 8:52:00 AM heartfelt and humbling write Kimberly!! Login to Reply Kim Shaw Date: 3/14/2015 9:08:00 AM Hi Olive! Thank you for the encouragement and also for stopping in to read my poems. Have a lovely day! Hugs, Kimberly

Sandra Haight Date: 3/13/2015 6:50:00 PM Such a touching poem, Kimberly. Much to think about...we all have encounters like this and sometimes feel sorry we hadn't done more. Very powerful poem. Hugs, Sandra Login to Reply Kim Shaw Date: 3/14/2015 9:05:00 AM Hi Sandra! I thank you for all of your kind encouragement and touching comments. Have a lovely day dear friend. Hugs, Kimberly

Diane Lefebvre Date: 3/12/2015 6:36:00 PM This is very touching, Kimberly. It brings me back in time nearly fifty years, when I too left something unsaid and undone for someone less fortunate than I. Long ago I took this before our Lord . . but still, powerful words that can cause me to remember over such a time span. Login to Reply Kim Shaw Date: 3/12/2015 6:47:00 PM Hi Diane, what an amazing story! I'm glad that my poem touched you in this way. Thank you for the nice comments. Hugs, Kimberly

Jaycee Cervenka Date: 3/12/2015 6:24:00 PM This is a beautiful, touching poem. How often do we pass by people thinking we have nothing to give, but sometimes all they really need is to be acknowledge, that someone sees them. God Bless! ~jan Login to Reply Kim Shaw Date: 3/12/2015 6:45:00 PM Hi Jan, thank you so much for stopping in and reading my poem. I appreciate your kind comments. Hugs, Kimberly