Urban Commuter Scents and Sensibility

Ten thousand eyes will each day pass but not a single one will see,
because the folly of their hubris hides the harsh reality,
and when they walk past homeless people posted prone in poverty,
cold cloaked, they are invisible.

Ten thousand ears will each day pass but not a single one will hear
any proper prayers of the sullen souls that live their lives in fear.
And so they sing their psalms in silence hoping angels will appear,
their sadness semi-visible.

Ten thousand nostrils will each day pass turned up and they’ll all detect
the foul fragrance from a stumbling bum with bubble bath neglect.
And yet their greatest fears are fostered from his foreign dialect.
So sobering, so risible.

Five thousand hearts will each day pass but not a single one will feel
for the burdens borne by a beggar with war wounds that will not heal.
Still they will paint themselves as patriots, American, genteel.
One Nation, indivisible.


Submitted:  August 14, 2020
Tail Rhyme Stanza Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Emile Pinet
"N/A" -- August 26, 2020

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 10/1/2020 11:26:00 AM
This is an exceptional poem. Congratulations.
Login to Reply
Cohen Avatar
Eric Cohen
Date: 10/1/2020 11:52:00 AM
Gary, thanks for reading and the kind comment. I enjoy your poems here.
Date: 10/1/2020 8:50:00 AM
It's good to remember that each one is a beating heart with fears and needs and a soul. Well spoken Eric, congrats.
Login to Reply
Date: 10/1/2020 7:25:00 AM
An excellent write Eric, congrats on a top win!
Login to Reply
Cohen Avatar
Eric Cohen
Date: 10/1/2020 10:04:00 AM
Thanks, John. I appreciate the consideration.
Date: 8/16/2020 3:27:00 PM
wow, very powerful pen, Eric. quite the tail rhymes!
Login to Reply
Date: 8/15/2020 7:33:00 AM
You're a very clever poet. Like your fun play with alliteration amongst a sobering message. The rhyme stronger, more daring than most.
Login to Reply
Cohen Avatar
Eric Cohen
Date: 8/15/2020 12:03:00 PM
Thanks, Sigrid. Greatly appreciate your visit and comments. I guess I dripped some acid on this one. I've read through several of your awesome poems and will leave some comments. You are on another level (in a good way).
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter