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Notes About The Poem

“There but for the grace of God go I.”

Allegedly from a mid-sixteenth-century statement by John Bradford, "There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford," in reference to a group of prisoners being led to execution.

A paraphrase from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:8–10, which states, "Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am...".

Homeless

How must it feel to carry all you own
in one old shopping cart or your back,
to trudge through alleys weary to the bone,
to crave the food and shelter that you lack,
to long to leave the street life you eschew?  

But for the grace of God, we’d be there too.


picture 4

September 30, 2019, entered in Joseph May's Make It Six Contest

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Joseph May

Date: 10/3/2019 8:14:00 PM

A touching verse Janice, Congrats on your win

Janice Canerdy
Date: 10/4/2019 1:51:00 PM

THANK YOU, Joseph! And thanks for sponsoring. Janice

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/1/2019 6:52:00 AM

I found this piece moving. I volunteer as a Barber at our local mission and have come to know our local street people. I have met many lovely souls.

Janice Canerdy
Date: 10/4/2019 1:53:00 PM

Richard, I'm so glad to know the poem touched you. Your comment touched me. Janice

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 9/30/2019 1:38:00 PM

Hello Janice Canerdy, yhe homeless have a rough life I have spoken to homelessHave a nice day my friend. women many times...

Janice Canerdy
Date: 9/30/2019 3:04:00 PM

Thanks so much, Darlene. Janice

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 9/30/2019 8:53:00 AM

I feel for the homeless indeed... Like you said, but for the grace of God, go I... Such a true statement. They are forever in my prayers and I love what you did with your entry. Bless you

Janice Canerdy
Date: 9/30/2019 11:48:00 AM

I LOVE this comment, Regina! Janice

Heidi Sands

Date: 9/30/2019 8:44:00 AM

This is such an important poem and very well written. It reaches me deeply. Well done Janice :)

Janice Canerdy
Date: 9/30/2019 11:49:00 AM

Thanks so much, Heidi. Janice

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 9/30/2019 1:33:00 AM

Hello Janice … so many turn their heads away from a homeless person. Sometimes so little for them means so much to them - thank you Janice - Lindsay

Janice Canerdy
Date: 9/30/2019 7:55:00 AM

Thanks so much, Lindsay. Janice

Homeless

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