Don't ask anything that's so improbable...
if your faith is lacking a strong foundation,
if it has doubt in folks who had a conviction:
didn't they fight to accomplish the impossible?
My question is, " Do miracles exist? "
Whenever I turn to, I sense disbelief in all;
who is ill and abandoned by a pitiless society
asks the same question of shameless betrayal;
beggars rely on generosity called handout,
they bow their heads expecting some empathy:
be moved by such suffering and denigrated sight,
harsh is their reality, heart-wrenching is their agony!
In the midst of allusion and deception ask yourself,
" Do miracles still exist? How strong is this belief? "
Stand firm, don't ever lose faith in all Humanity;
in your daily rush: slow down and redefine dignity!
Standing in a small boat
on one of the Great Lakes
the early morning sunrise having
turned into a cloudless new day.
Shoreline behind me, mostly trees,
some houses, a large park
that was once a factory
and water as far as I can see.
It was a matter of perspective
this view I enjoyed
the birds and ducks could see further
while planes overhead could see for miles.
and I had my lake level view
Fish came to the surface
a piece of drift wood floated nearby
a plastics bottle (ugh!) moved with the current
another boat trolled near with two men aboard.
and I had my lake level view
A seagull landed near us
hoping for a fishy handout?
While my uncle and I talked of nothing specific,
worms, seaweed and another lost fish.
and I had my lake level view
Laziness Is A Choice
Miracle Man
(from my archives)
Many are content to go through life hitching rides,
but I prefer to work and drive a car;
Those going through life constantly seeking a handout
Will always have their hand out,
and just enough in it to keep their gut from growling.
We mostly eat in silence,
After 50 years together
there’s really nothing
much left to say –
We disagree on
everything any way!
I look across from our rickety table
into her tired, forlorn eyes
and see years of struggle, hurt
resentment and complaints.
I look around our
rented, crummy apartment
full of worn-out books,
magazines, newspaper clippings,
paid bills and handout furniture –
Really not much to show
for a lifetime of harvesting!
We, the two of us
who are mostly good,
Who raised good kids,
Who dotted all the i’s
Who crossed all the t’s,
Who paid their taxes
and their bills on time,
Who prayed diligently,
Who toed the line
every step of the way,
Working side by side
day in and day out –
Yet, no spoils good enough
to bring home to.
With kids all grown up
and long gone
and the sun finally set,
Oh, how I wonder...
what will the night be like?
We both get up at the same time
plates in our hands–
Don’t eat much these days, you know;
Now, time and old age
hover around us like
the beleaguered butler
with a frayed towel over his arm!
~04/30/23
~Contest: Empty Nest
~Sponsor: Cooper Etheridge
Who Cares?
Who cares…
When loved ones with dementia go missing and resources caregivers lack
When the poor are given a handout, not a helping hand to get on track
When lying scammers and telemarketers, seniors cannot hold back
And one bad decision results in suicide or homicide following a hack?
would feel great inside
when God did give us much pride
to heaven free ride
have propensity
for much sensitivity
with humility
looked in annual
God gave me a spaniel
name was Daniel
God has made me whole
blessed by Him and saved my soul
was His greatest goal
God said twist and shout
when we received His handout
flowers up will sprout
saw latest release
properly should treat police
hair was combed with grease
How about those Horn Haiku?
Visions
So, what are your visions?
What do you see?
Before you answer that question
Are you even in God’s army?
What are your visions?
What are your hopes and dreams?
Do they line up with God’s plan?
Does it go hand in hand
With God’s promises?
Is your vision for promotion
In your life or for others?
Is your vision to build
So you can help you sisters and brothers?
Is your vision to become financially free?
That way you can help more people
Like me, who want a hand up not a handout
Who wants to continue living for God with my own visions
And achieve my callings in life.
Song of the Hill
On this hill
One thing counts
Tax and spend
Large amounts
I’m afraid we’ve
No golden trees
We have to tax an income or two
We have to tax an income or two boys
We got to tax an income or two
Tending bar
AOC
Never served drinks for free
Now she has found
It’s always your round
She orders for the whole country
She orders for the whole country, see?
She orders for the whole country
Take a tip
From old Joe
Watch his family
Income grow
No known skills
They filled their tills
They had a good connection or two
They sold a good connection or two boys
They got a golden handout or two
We’re so kind
Can’t you see
Flushed with generosity
When there’s no more
Of your money in store
We’ll have to tax an income or two
We’ll have to tax an income or two you
Got to tax an income or two
Stranger
I never really met him
But I know him
I know his face in profile
The furrows of his brow
I’ve seen it enough times
At Barnes & Noble browsing Asimov
I’ve seen him
Leaving the loft
Watched his hands
Holding the door
For his momma at the beauty parlor
He always tips the stylist who frosts his mamma’s grays
The other day I just missed him
Leaving the last row of the church pews
The handout he left behind was still warm
His pencil still on the floor beneath the ancient wooden bench
And on Tuesday, I watched him do a coffee run
for the guys at the office
I know it was him
I floated in on his Perry Ellis
He takes his coffee black with extra sugar
He goes running on Saturday mornings rain or shine
Always listening to Miles
I still hear the bass echo in the trees
He has his board meeting
Every third Thursday
I know ‘cause he always picks up his dolce suit
Every third Wednesday
Then stops for a fade
Spends an hour with his boys
If I time it just right
I might get lucky
And bump into him
Accidentally of course
I betta’ do it this Sunday
‘Cause this Monday
Is his first date
With the chick who frosts his mamma’s grays
Socialism Sonnet
By: Miracle Man
January 15, 2021
We now hear talk about guaranteed income,
The end to our freedom will be it’s outcome.
If Socialist’s are successful in forcing us to live,
off of some handout the Government can give.
Don’t listen to those who perpetuate this folly,
The end result will be, that all become melancholy.
Socialism destroys a person’s willingness to excel,
so this kind of thinking rational minds should repel.
Too many can't see the forest, for a single tree,
and are actively seeking anything that seems free.
My first amendment right guarantees my say,
and what the government gives, they can take away.
Socialism ruined countries from which this idea came,
now some are advocating making this country the same.
The most terrifying words in the English language are:
“I'm from the government and I'm here to help.”
Ronald Reagan
There was a certain guy who appeared
to be homeless and asking for food. But
the odd thing is he had a sign, but it was
off to the side, and he wasn't holding it.
I thought to myself,” Shouldn't he at least
be holding the sign up if he's going to be
looking for a handout? The nerve of him.”
Walking a little closer, I saw what the sign
actually said, WILL WORK FOR FOOD.
I'm a retired Vet with the United States
Army. Any work will do. I'm at your service.
Guilt came over me real fast. I needed to
thank him for his service. Instead, I judged
him too swiftly. Although I was ashamed for
jumping to conclusions about his story,
my view on life changed that day. Because
I came across a brave and honorable man.
That helped me, by causing my outlook on
life to change drastically. These days I'm not
so quick to judge folks by what I think I see.
Alexis Y.
12-15-2020
I am tired of trying
I am tired of loving the wrong man
Iam tired of struggling to pay for this house
I am tired
They say stay positive ...about what ?
No money .. just struggling to stay alive
What to stay positive for
I have run out of options
I have no great ideas
No ones coming to save me
I am tired
I stop answering the phone
I am tired of people thinking I have it all together..."I DON'T"
I am tired
I just need one break ...just one good news..just one person to say here take this ...just one kind hand of hope ...just once
Yes I need a handout...just one time
I am tired of working hard
I am tired of hearing a man say 'I love you" then leave
'It will work out"
I am tired of hearing it will work out
I just want it to work...the first time
Sorry but I am tired of this life
It will get better ...for who ...you
I am tired.
Underneath the stars,
in countless bars,
as cars traverse
the mean streets of the city,
the broth of humanity congregate
and,late into the night,
cogitate on the state
of things fiscal
and whether to risk all
on the throw of a dice
or the turn of a card
for life can be hard
when faced with the prospect
of losing it all
on the run of a ball
or the speed of a horse
or, worse of course,
when you are so far down
that the world around
has lost its charm
and prostitution or self harm
appear to be a
better proposition,
when there are no stars left to wish on,
and the street is your home,
the place where you roam
from handout to trick,
thinking quick on your feet
getting more 'street'
but losing your soul
and forgetting your goal
of making it big in this city
and you drown in self pity
and OD on horse as the course
of your life takes a turn for the worse
and you curse
and splutter
as you lie in the gutter
outside one of those bars
looking up at the stars.
I have been
A shut in and shut out
Kicked in and kicked out
Strung up and strung out
Sore thumb that's stuck out
I'm not a saint or girl scout
But I've cut ink and bled out
Mi vida loca like "Blood In Blood Out"
And each one I've wrote about
Knowing at least I'm not a sell out
This is the therapy of my soul shout!
I'm not looking for a handout
Persuading you I have clout
I do this for me…
If this you ever do doubt
Then you can kick rocks and get the hell out
What to do about those under the table?
When those paying them are unable,
And have gone back to their scrabble.
Should we be worried they might become unstable,
When a constable is to us unreachable.
If an amnesty was the solution most suitable,
Would they deem that call trustable?
Doing nothing would runs risks considerable,
As desperate people become unreasonable,
And could make decisions that were once to them unthinkable.
Have we any room in our hearts for those now playing scrabble,
To see their actions as forgivable,
When they made some legitimate businesses unprofitable.
Then there are the businesses who took money under the table,
That is never counted as taxable,
And now can't be counted when loss of income is considerable,
Requiring a handout from those who deem it despicable.
Maybe compassion is the only thing thinkable,
With crumbs no longer falling from the table,
And we can leave accountability,
To a time when the situation is more favourable,
And our actions more reasonable,
With those now playing scrabble,
Or making a living under the table,
More likely to be amiable,
To a life that is sustainable.
Related Poems