“Peace on earth will come to stay,
When we live Christmas every day”
Helen Steiner Rice
I saw a beggar at the street light
I rolled up my window in fuchsia fright
You may ask me the question why
I fear men more than I fear Christ
The truth is ugly is it not so
Perhaps I have no cash to dispose
Even if that is the case I know
God frowns upon a stingy soul
I donated to the charity on tv
For kids Christmas by Salvation Army
I don’t feel bad they once helped me
And tis the season to help those who need
Saw another panhandling man
Thought to myself well here’s my chance
Offered to buy him food or groceries
He declined says he only wants cash money
But his sign said he needs food
Not trying to be funny or rude
I had no cash and indeed I refuse
To give him money to buy booze
So I told him that I had no cash
It wasn’t a lie to tell him that
I didn’t care if he was upset or mad
Looking at me judging me with a laugh
Peace on earth is a delicacy indeed
This man and his demons a mystery
He obviously wanted money from me
But instead got prayer that God meets needs
Met an eager charming panhandler today
His smile was unusually bright and gay
Hi he said with friendly eyes and big smile
I was on a jog, had gone about a mile
Hi yourself I sang out in a voice that rivaled his
He looked pleased, not understanding my tone or biz
Do you have some extra change? He asked me
I laughed and giggled and slapped one knee
Extra change. What does that mean? I asked
His face was not as Pollyanna-smiling-masked
Money you don’t need, dollars will do too
His expression was innocent, his eyes bright blue
A buck or five, twenty would be welcome and plenty
I laughed, amused tears at this begging bold ninny
These tears ran down my face and fell off my blouse
I could use your spare twenties, I told this blatant louse.
You are asking me for money? He said.
His eyes nearly leapt out of his head
If you don’t have a twenty, a hundred would do I replied.
The panhandler walked off, ignoring my gloat of pride.
out in the cold streets
before the world wakes with his...
"Help, I'm Homeless" sign
Date written: 12/16/2020
I once saw this man
Who was panhandling
His apparent was gay
Though when you look closer upon him
His clothing was better than yours
He held a sign crying out ...
out of work, homeless and hungry
Yet he wasn't dirty, had lips covered in gravy
He wore Air Jordan shoes shines
Head is clean and shaven
And his 2018 Lexis is behind the hedge
But it's okay his panhandling money to get his auto license
Reach in his pocket and four hundred dollars fell out
Poor panhandler
03/6/18
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.©2018
Misery gazed through beer-stained blur,
Despair in faded jeans;
enslaved by his habit, his outstretched claw
beseeched me donate to his cause.
A ghost begged another ride on his addiction.
His wretchedness reached out and slapped me lonely;
the squalid secrets of his torment
displayed like a ***** movie.
An apparition of journey’s end,
the destination of choices not chosen.
His shabby figure beckons me consider -
Where is my port of call?
He shuffled his approach with eyes lurking despondent,
reached out shabby sleeves to accept my oblation
then clutching the prize to his chest
two-stepped back to his prerogative.
this is the season
for this reason
there will be more
you see as you go
shopping and bopping alone
some wil carry star spanbler
those
HOLIDAY PANDLER
they shake the cup
for stuff
like a dine mabe some wine
some or kind
no doudt
they won't a hand out
theyer not bandler
call
PANHANDLER
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.