My Friend Marty
Whenever I go by the local mall
usually he's sitting on the sidewalk
painting pictures from his memory
wild, enchanting places at that.
It'd been a long stormy week;
when I ache, I see it in his eyes too,
so I greeted him and asked him
if he was in need of anything.
He said he'd stocked up on food
when the hurricane was due
but there were a couple of things
he could use, if I might agree.
He said he liked to sip a beer
though he would never get drunk;
maybe I might buy him one
as well as a couple of smokes.
So we went into the grocery;
he picked out his favorite beer,
a couple of packs of cigarettes;
he smiled, a twinkle in his eye.
He talked about the Bible
how Paul told Timothy to drink
a bit of wine to help his ailments;
I'd just read the verse that day!
We agreed there were Scriptures
advising us not to get drunk;
I walked off into the rain then
happy I could help ease his pains.
He thanked me wholeheartedly
gratefulness on his rugged face;
He'd suffered many worse times
during his days in the Marines.
I bring him some bread each week,
some lunch meat or peanut butter;
the church van helps me deliver these
which always makes Marty smile.
I know he sleeps on the floor
of the twenty-four hour Laundry,
helping the owner ward off crooks
who raid the coin boxes mid-night.
I pray for Marty now and then;
I'm pretty sure he prays for me too;
I own several of Marty's paintings,
they hang proudly around my place.
"No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent
infirmities."
1 TIM 5:23 (New King James Version Of The Bible)
Copyright © Sheila Kathryn Barrera | Year Posted 2008
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