Sprawled

Whenever I see someone
Sprawled on a bench,
Exposed to the elements, 
Hands in a clench,

I wonder if long ago,
Curled in his crib
Or perched in his high chair,
With drips on his bib,

A mom or a dad,
With the tenderest gaze,
Saw their hopes for their son
Mapped in various ways.

They certainly never
Imagined him stuck
On a bench in a city park,
Down on his luck.

Few passersby stop,
(And yes, that includes me)
Rarely thinking about
How such things come to be.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Rolland Avatar
July 5, 2026 at 3:31 PM
this is quite touching poem, we should look around more than we do, and look after too, God bless you
Cunningham Avatar
July 5, 2026 at 1:03 PM
It's a shame to see People like that Ilene, you wonder where they went wrong was it self inflicted or are they just down on their luck. Tom
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