Spare Change

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I wrote this poem at a public library while homeless, looking for a job, and trying to reconnect with my family while travelling through Portsmouth, NH back in 2004. I submitted it to a contest that caught my eye while browsing thru the web ... "Welcome to FamousPoets.com, Win Cash! $50,000 Awarded! FREE Poetry Contest, Win BIG and get published, Enter One Poem - 21 lines or less" I recieved an email from them, saying I should contact them immediatly but when I called they said I hadn't won but was #1 Runner Up and did I want to come to NY, NY to read my poem. I politely said no explaining my situation with no transportation, no money (I would have if I'd won some money, of couse). Then they asked if it was okay if they had someone else read my poem, and of course I said yes. They didn't asked me if they could publish it, so here it is. Inspired by old man "begger" while sitting next to him on a bench. All he said all day was, "Ya gotta a quarter you can spare, just a quarter will do?"

Can ya spare a little change? Purple pleaser, are you a teaser? I like to flatulate on the bench Where others have eaten their noonday lunch. I say, can you spare a little change? Clouds race by, I wonder whose winning, Who will reach the noonday sun, first? I could use a little change around here. Whatcha say? Will ya today, change your mind? I look around, this ain’t my beautiful world. This ain’t my beautiful lamp post. This ain’t no wonderful life, after all. I say, can ya spare a little change? My mind went racing down the subway, without me. My body’s falling apart. I have no funds for a shave, wouldn’t anyway. It’s gettin’ cold around here, winter’s near. Almost time to leave, anyway. Can you spare a little change is all I say. Can ya, can ya today?

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