Notes About The Poem

Pick any line Poetry Contest

Streetlife

I’m on my way into the grocery store
when I see him huddled near the shop doorway
In his outstretched hand
an empty coffee cup
I throw in a coin or two 
smile, and ask his name
I’m Jack ma’am’ he says politely; and this is Benji ...
it’s only then that I notice a small brown terrier
his black nose poking out
from underneath a stained sleeping bag
Benji leaps up and wags his tail excitedly
at the mention of his name
I stoop down and he nuzzles my hand
I’ve a lump in my throat as I tell Jack 
Benji reminds me of my dog Sam
who I lost last summer
Oh, how I miss the comfort of my pet

Jack’s blue eyes fill with tears
it's then I discover 
he’s been on the streets for a few months 
Benji’s my only true friend, he says
He’s never let me down -
not like my folks back at home 

I can see Benji is well cared for
the exact opposite of Jack
who looks like he’s not eaten a square meal in days
I rise to do my shopping
and pass them both on the way out
I drop a brown carrier bag into Jack’s lap
he opens it like it’s Christmas Day
Inside are several pouches of dog food
and some substantial sandwiches

It is but a small gift,
yet I can see it means the world to him
he reaches up and touches my hand

I’m sorry son, 
I wish I could do more to help
but I only have a small widow’s pension

I walk away,
knowing how fortunate I am 
"This is no life, just a way of surviving another day"
I’ve had ups and downs in my life, but ...
“I've never been where they've been”


Writing Challenge 2, November - A Poem Meaningful - Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Dear Heart - Wiishkobi Ode


Written on 10/7/19

environmentsocietyfree verse

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Eric Cohen

March 15, 2021 at 7:40 PM

Brought me to tears. Wish I had read this before. Best to you. ~Eric

Jan Allison

March 16, 2021 at 2:14 PM

Thanks Eric, its pure fiction for me but makes me so thankful for the life i have, I am sure other on the street would swap places any day ... just to walk in another man's shoes would open our eyes to some sad sights:-( hugs jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

November 25, 2019 at 3:23 PM

Congrats too on your first placement! : ) xxoo

Na Na

November 20, 2019 at 5:56 PM

Congrats on your win Jan

Constance La France

November 20, 2019 at 3:32 PM

Jan congratulations on your win in my writing challenge with this beautifully emotional piem and I like the music too. I hope it placed in the original contest it was written for!

Eve Roper

November 7, 2019 at 5:14 PM

Congratulations on top #one hundred poems hugs.

Curtis Moorman

November 6, 2019 at 10:42 AM

Jan, I'm never surprised to see your name in first place. I've always shared with you my admiration for how well you take mere words from Mr. Webster's dictionary and turn them into masterpieces such as this one and others you have written. New members, and even some old members, would do well to use your poems as a 'self-tutoring' program and become a master poet like you! Congrats on your win!

Robertina B.

November 4, 2019 at 7:11 AM

Congratulations on your top win, Jan.. Such a splendid write!! Really moved me.. So heartfelt! Have a blessed day!

Connie Marcum Wong

November 3, 2019 at 4:28 PM

I really enjoyed reading this again Jan. Congratulations on having it at the top of the best new poems list. A very moving piece! : ) xxoo

Eve Roper

November 3, 2019 at 8:19 AM

A write so touching, Jan, you did so well on this beautiful verse. Hugs Eve

CayCay Godwin

November 2, 2019 at 8:17 PM

I thought I'd enjoy the best new poems from the list and yours was first. And I did, I did enjoy the writing but because of Billy I felt this in my heart and now need tissue. Splendid poem, heart wrenching feel exquisitely delivered. Sniff, sniff and hugs ... CayCay

Michelo Mweetwa

November 2, 2019 at 4:59 AM

Beautiful and thoughtful writing!

Sunlite Wanter

November 1, 2019 at 9:59 AM

You exhibited an real understanding. Congratulations on #1.

Vijay Pandit

November 1, 2019 at 6:27 AM

A well deserved #1 on best poems chart..a powerful write, Jan..both in content and its message. Congratulations!!

Linda Milgate

October 30, 2019 at 2:46 PM

Wonderful and very true poem, experienced it so much myself, Give to a Weds Lunch at vet memorial where almost everyone has a dog or some a cat, We bring the dogs and cat food and leashes, others bring lunch. Homeless Veterans. The greed now is nuts. Maybe we should do a contest on poetry and greed! And/or kindness. Sigh.

Jan Allison

October 31, 2019 at 1:20 PM

What a wonderful idea to give to the vet's pets and care for their owners too, there are some wonderful charities out there:-) hugs Jan xx

John Hamilton

October 30, 2019 at 10:32 AM

Congrats Jan on a top win, and also rating high on the new top 100. (I was going to say congrats on your #2 poem, but decided against it...did I just say it?)

Jan Allison

October 31, 2019 at 1:19 PM

oh thanks so much for the comment and telling me of my #2 position. I have little time on soup recently so rarely get to see the lists:-) hugs Jan xx

Ts Poetry

October 29, 2019 at 12:30 PM

I'd love to see this continued into a longer tale or even book...a fav

Jan Allison

October 31, 2019 at 1:17 PM

aww thanks for the confidence booster TS, I do write the odd serious poem:-)hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

October 19, 2019 at 1:43 PM

This is fantastic that you placed second with this heart warming poem, jan. I had not seen it before. Wonderful job. Congratulations.

Jan Allison

October 28, 2019 at 4:00 AM

Thanks Andrea, have just come back from London and saw many homeless on the streets:-( hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux

October 12, 2019 at 9:04 AM

Great story telling, congrats on top winin my contest.

Jan Allison

October 28, 2019 at 3:59 AM

Thanks for the inspiration Rick:-) hugs Jan xx

Arturo Michael

October 10, 2019 at 8:44 AM

A really classy write...full of character and expressions..."This is no life, just a way of surviving another day" I like it

Jan Allison

October 10, 2019 at 9:55 AM

Thanks Arturo:-) hugs Jan xx

Ann Gilmour

October 10, 2019 at 4:07 AM

So many congrats Jan for your first place win with this most poignant write. Sadly these poor souls are all around us and I cannot imagine what it must be like to be abandoned and homeless with no light at the end of their tunnel. A truly amazing write that received a well deserved top place, well done Jan. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Jan Allison

October 10, 2019 at 4:30 AM

There are those truly in dire straits, but I observed on young lass in birkenhead begging in a doorway, she had flawless make up, perfectly manicured gel nails, a top of the range mobile phone she leaps up when her mobile rings and jumps into a taxi to meet her friend who is at at a better pitch saying its dire here today ,but yesterday I made nearly £150!Hugs Jan xx

Kim Rodrigues

October 9, 2019 at 3:01 PM

So many on the streets. So sad when home life had them suffering so they’d rather live on the street.

Jan Allison

October 10, 2019 at 4:25 AM

Thanks kim;-) hugs Jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

October 9, 2019 at 12:53 PM

This is so excellent Jan. So deserving of your First placement. This caused a lump in my throat. Congratulations on your wonderful win. When you recognize a homeless person by asking them their name, it means more to them than people realize. It shows you really care. Of course giving them food is what they also need, but giving them their dignity is also very important. xxoo

Jan Allison

October 9, 2019 at 2:58 PM

Thanks for the very insightful comment Connie, I'm so delighted with the win but also with the wonderful comments I've received:-) hugs jan xx

John Hamilton

October 9, 2019 at 10:02 AM

A very touching write Jan, I too met a homeless man a few days ago, helped him a little, this write is special, glad Rick rewarded this quality write with a top win!

Jan Allison

October 9, 2019 at 2:57 PM

Thanks so much John, I wrote this at the last minute and am so delighted to gain a top spot with Rick, I do write the odd proper poem these days:-):-) :-) hugs Jan xx