Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » I Saw a Man

I Saw a Man

I saw a man standing by the road He was bedraggled and beaten down, I passed him by, afraid to share my empty seat And thought how sad we have come to this In our self-satisfied want for nothing, Afraid, because we hear horror stories About those who have helped strangers, Denying ourselves the opportunity to bless. And, thinking of him, I must confess Our modern age is filled with many dangers, But we need to take stock of our inventories Of good deeds, what to the table we bring Wrapped in our cloaks of not-my-business, My life is so pleasing, well-ordered, and neat Why put myself out for some lowdown? When I realized many helped me with my load. written March 28, 2022 [Verso-Rhyme]

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/29/2022 8:52:00 AM

"Why put myself out for some lowdown?" - and I think you had second third and forth thoughts about thinking this.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/29/2022 9:05:00 AM

I did, indeed, Caren. Like, who am I to make that kind of judgment about another human being!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/28/2022 1:55:00 PM

I’ve thought the same…to relax, be wary but not to the point of inhospitable! We had workers at the house. I engaged them more in conversation today. Be blessed! God will let us find the way!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/28/2022 2:17:00 PM

Thank you, Kim. I am happy you felt like you could engage them more in a personal way. I'm sure they liked that.

Marco Chies

Date: 3/28/2022 1:04:00 PM

A difficult topic, that. In the end, I think the decision was the right one...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/28/2022 1:16:00 PM

I think you're right, Marco. See my response to Victor below.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 3/28/2022 11:46:00 AM

I understand your preoccupation. I feel the same way.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/28/2022 1:16:00 PM

It's so difficult to make this decision, Victor. I have picked up strangers along the highway, but, it seems that every time I did, I had some reason to regret it. Often, I found them to be mentally ill and frightening. (I'm talking one or two in the last forty years!)