Anne-Lise Andresen Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

07.10.2023

Anne-Lise Andresen
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Get into the conversation Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Eve Roper

1st place in the contest

- The Right To Smell -

                               Outside the bakery's window,
                                       my brother and me.
                               Without a single penny for desire.

                           Meringues that looked as white peonies,
                             sweet cakes that smelled heavenly.
                                    Plenty of freshly baked rolls,
                                     my brother never had taste.

                            A "poor man's" wish, the right to smell.
                            What heaven has chosen hungers tyrant?
                                Not everyone understands misery.
                                           In the falling snow,
                                  thin worn out clothes and wet feet -
                                        life is already a challenge.

                          Snow-covered pavement, shoes without soles
                              Dear righteous virgin send us strength.
                         Fate does not smile, courage and hope crushed.
                               The pale aspect when life is at its worst.
                                          My brother whispers:
                                                                  "hungry"

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Len Gasun October 23, 2023 at 7:08 AM You have beautifully painted the picture with your creative and lovely words my dear poet friend Anne-Lise. Congratulations on your first win! Thanks for sharing. God bless you always and your writings. Hugs

Paula Goldsmith October 22, 2023 at 10:32 AM Congratulations on your win. I love your line, "A "poor man's" wish, the right to smell. " So True. Hugs... Have a blessed day writing away............

William Kelii Kekaula October 21, 2023 at 4:36 PM Aloha, Anne-Lise! A pensiveness accommodates me, stemming from your distinctive Free Verse, which hails from your title, that transcends, reflective of your unique style! A worthy 1st placement, my friend! Mahalo, William

Silent One October 21, 2023 at 8:23 AM You captured the image so well.. Congratulations on your win..

Eve Roper October 20, 2023 at 11:04 PM Anne-Lise, a great heartfelt and moving poem. Thank you for taking part in the contest and congratulations on your win. God bless you

Gail Debole October 12, 2023 at 3:55 PM Hi Anne-Lise - Everyone in this world deserves the basics to live and grow. It is sad that - presently - this still is not the case. That some people are so poor that their right to food is reduced to only a right to look and perhaps smell. Your moving words illustrate so well what is suggested in the picture. - Gail

Beryl Edmonds October 11, 2023 at 7:47 PM Let them eat cake Marie-Antoinette said when the poor couldn’t afford to buy bread. Not all folk could afford cake long ago as your poem says, and some not even these days. A very moving poem Ann-Lise, all the best for the contest… Belle

Linda Alice Fowler October 10, 2023 at 8:47 AM This is delightful my dear Anne-Lise. A charming if saddening write. Well done! :) Anne-Lise Andresen October 22, 2023 at 10:34 AM - Many thanks Linda, for your lovely comment :) - hugs

J. Summers October 8, 2023 at 3:43 PM What the artist did with his brush you did with your pen, nicely done. John Anne-Lise Andresen October 22, 2023 at 10:32 AM - Thank you very much, John :) - hugs

Jay Narain October 8, 2023 at 12:30 PM Thoughtful and humbling poem. People who have should help who do not have. A child's wish fulfilled is worth millions of bucks. Anne-Lise Andresen October 22, 2023 at 10:33 AM - Agreed, Jay :) - Many thanks for your lovely comment :) - hugs

Victor Buhagiar October 8, 2023 at 10:46 AM Time will come when we will give an account for leaving helpless persons hungry. Reminds me of the parable of the rich man and the beggar. Blessings.

Joseph P. DiMino October 8, 2023 at 5:46 AM "What heaven has chosen hungers tyrant? Not everyone understands misery." Not a choice of Heaven. "My brother whispers: "hungry" We, soulful beings, are often moved more by the hungers of others than that of our own -- it is God's way. It is Heaven's way. Up to us if to be positive change. Blessings my friend. Great writing! Anne-Lise Andresen October 10, 2023 at 12:00 PM - Much appreciate your visit and comments Joe, many thanks :) - hugs

Yann Rolland October 7, 2023 at 8:12 PM so touching and delicate poem, i rhought to Dickens, Anne lise, this is deep in soul, thanks take care Anne-Lise Andresen October 8, 2023 at 4:28 AM - Many thanks for your lovely comment, Yann :) - hugs

Mystic Rose Rose October 7, 2023 at 4:05 PM no child should ever have to whisper Hungry but sadly I know many do dear friend your words touch me deeply. Thank you for sharing this brilliant version love :) rjn Anne-Lise Andresen October 8, 2023 at 4:27 AM - Vie Rose, many thanks for your lovely comment :) - hugs

The Situation October 7, 2023 at 3:11 PM A reality of lives long past. today those have turned into thieves and robbers. Anne-Lise Andresen October 8, 2023 at 4:32 AM - Have the poor become "thieves and robbers"? - (... maybe some...) - (I wonder if the "rich" have become "rich" in an honest way) - Thank you for your comment, T.S. :) - HUGS

Sara Kendrick October 7, 2023 at 2:20 PM A very sad one. There are many in America that are hungry as there are many in all parts of the world. If only, we could see everyone had food, clothing and shelter. Thanks for sharing this one with us and for dropping by my page. Sara Anne-Lise Andresen October 8, 2023 at 4:26 AM - Many thanks Sara, for your lovely comment :) - hugs

Charles Messina October 7, 2023 at 1:36 PM A great write and description of the photo, Anne-Lise. So sad... BOL in the contest! hugs :) Anne-Lise Andresen October 8, 2023 at 4:26 AM - Many thanks for your lovely comment, Charlie :) - hugs

Jerry Brotherton October 7, 2023 at 1:07 PM You have penned a memory for me. My grandmother had a favorite saying when I was growing up. She would say, "I won't miss what I've never had." Through firsthand experience, I can tell you, she was full of bull****. Anne-Lise Andresen October 7, 2023 at 1:20 PM - As children we already learn the difference between poor and rich... - We miss the opportunity to be able to taste... not stand on the outside and never be able to taste the benefits of life - Many thanks for your comment, Jerry :) - hugs

John Lawless October 7, 2023 at 6:38 AM that opening tercet - a stab to the heart Anne-Lise. "How can so few have so much and so many have so little" a recurring question we have yet to answer Anne-Lise Andresen October 7, 2023 at 6:52 AM - It is a question that I often think about, John - Many thanks for your comment :) - hugs

Silent One October 7, 2023 at 6:20 AM Meringues that looked as white peonies, lovely simile.. You created a great poem for this image.. Anne-Lise Andresen October 7, 2023 at 9:27 AM - Beautiful, sweet temptations ... but no money ... many thanks for the lovely comment, S.O. :) - hugs

Ink Empress October 7, 2023 at 5:52 AM Not everyone understand the misery and hunger… so true, you’ve written a very heartfelt poem for this picture. I felt this so deeply! Sigh! Reality for so many breaks my heart. Made me tear up as i read those last lines too. Sigh a fave for me. You have a beautiful heart Anne-Lise Andresen October 7, 2023 at 9:30 AM - Crumbs for the poor ... free choice for the rich ... life is unfair ... many thanks for your sensitive comment and your valuable fave, Ink :) - hugs

Vijay Pandit October 7, 2023 at 5:45 AM I feel the pain of hunger they must feel. You gave voice and meaning to the photo, Anne-Lise. So sad, yet, true to life. Anne-Lise Andresen October 7, 2023 at 9:37 AM - Unbelievably sad ... many thanks for your comment, Vijay :) - hugs