Living Love (for Kate)
So far down on his luck, he’s under it.
Literally.
Living beneath a bridge called Home.
Gathering other folks’ flotsam by day
to make do, then retreating to his camp
where he sleeps unmolested each night.
From her window, she spies the man.
She ventures out, offers some food, scopes out
the soul hiding underneath his misfortune.
They don’t talk much, but then,
true generosity is not a grand, chatty deal.
Her gifts are met with quiet gratitude.
She buys him a propane grill and this and that.
He probably needs psych help, but she’ll never
push – so easy to scare a rabbit from its hutch.
She says, “When the president came to Madison,
he drove right over that bridge.” The irony
is thick as brick, and just as heavy.
That’s not a troll under there; no beast from
a Grimm tale. He’s a human being. And she
acts out of the words of Jesus, quietly.
She lives out of love.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Sunday Scribblings; the prompt was “investigate.” Iif Kate had never checked out this man and his circumstances, she’d never have had the chance to help him. Also posted at the wonderful Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
zongrik
I like this line –
He probably needs psych help, but she’ll never
push – so easy to scare a rabbit from its hutch.
Thanks for your comment on my page. It was really great. It’s always nice to see that those lions mean something to someone else. It’s truly a New Yorker thing.
Also, you are the second non-Jewish New Yorker to tell me “Oy” this week.
Sharp Little Pencil
My former husband (and father of our daughter, Riley) is Jewish – I knew more Yiddish than he did! All that hanging in clubs and working the Long Island wedding circuit, I guess.
Glad you appreciated those lines, because Kate is a very sensitive woman, and I had that vision of how scared a rabbit gets, running away even if you intend to help… As for comments, I always visit “back” to the poets who comment here. The lions being a truly New Yorker thing? Yeah. I lived on the Upper Left Side for years and spent lots of time on foot, checking out store windows. Cheapest fun: nursing a cappuccino at a Village cafe and people-watching all afternoon! When you’re short on money in NYC there is always something to do!
Zongrik, I have the feeling this is the beginning of a solid friendship. Too much in common to avoid it! Speaking of “Oy,” do you know Buddah Moskowitz’s site, “I Hate Poetry”? I think it’s ihatepoetry.wordpress.com but he also runs virtualpoetryreading.com, where you can literally phone in your own reading of your poetry. Check it out! Amy
Madeleine Begun Kane
A wonderful story, beautifully told!
And thanks very much for your limerick contribution to this week’s LImerick-Off!
Sharp Little Pencil
Mad, thanks. I only write a limerick if I think it’s worthy, but I always check in on Mondays! Appreciate your kind words. Amy
vivinfrance
This is one of your best, Amy. The story is heartrending, all the more effective for being told simply,
Sharp Little Pencil
The best part is, it’s all true. Kate is a woman who lives the message, and I admire her greatly! Thanks, Viv. Amy
Debbie
Love this, Amy . . .thank you and I thank Kate too.
Sharp Little Pencil
She is my kind of Christian, my kind of person of faith. Really living the love, the message. Thanks, Debbie! A
Roger Green
Love the rabbit/hutch line, ’cause it’s true.
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad it resonated for you, Roger. Thanks for this, and peace, Amy
Mikle
Cool – good piece, I shall look forward to skipping through some past posts for other gems.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for visiting, and yes, skip away! You will find politics, LGBT issues, matters of faith, rants about Gov. Walker, stories of my family and friends… and more ranting!! I’ll stop by your blog now… peace, Amy
Old Egg
It shows how far we have to go to embrace a down and out. I don’t know whether they are organised to sell magazines for $5 in the US as they are here in Australia. It is a very good magazine well worth the money. This gives them a lot of self worth and hopefully is a step back to a better quality life. Great post before Christmas.
Sharp Little Pencil
Robin, I’m not aware of the $5 mags, but then, most folks around here would rather buy someone lunch or take them for coffee and a bran muffin, donate coats, whatever. Gives us a chance to talk… but that idea is good. There is a “donate what you can” magazine for the homeless to sell here, but it doesn’t seem like it brings much in the way of self-esteem. Now a nice magazine would be nice…! Thanks for this, and peace, Amy
brian miller
nice…love to see people living out love…well spun tale…’true generosity is not a grand, chatty deal.’ true that and nice irony in the bridge the president walked over….
Sharp Little Pencil
That fact was where our conversation started, Brian. Then I drew out more details, but yes, Kate was keenly aware of the irony.
Great comment, Brian, and I appreciate your taking time to visit. Thanks so much, and peace, Amy
Susannah
That is beautiful Amy! (both the story and your telling of it.) 🙂 x
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Susannah. It’s a privilege to have friends like Kate and Carolyn, who each minister in their own, quiet ways… xo, Amy
Richard Cody
As should we all.
Sharp Little Pencil
If we’re mindful, if we’re thankful for what we have, and if we’re not too busy trying to get ourselves more and more “stuff”! Thanks, Richard. Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Such a beautiful story, Amy. Heartwarming.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks much, Sherry. Hope you are feeling OK… in my prayers! And Kate? She is all heart! Amy
Buddah Moskowitz
This is so well written – great job, soul sistah.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, honey! You would really appreciate this woman. Your soul sistah, Ameleh
MiskMask
i adore this line: “she’ll never push – so easy to scare a rabbit from its hutch”. This is a lovely piece, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Marilyn. That line resonated with many folks… Peace, Amy
The Cello Strings
creative thinking.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! Much appreciate your comment. Peace, Amy
ravenswingpoetry
I read the quite expression of both spirits in this piece…the man under the bridge, taking little and trying to get by; the woman who helps him with small acts of generosity. Neither call attention to themselves. And that is the great thing about this poem. An act of love does not need to be loud.
-Nicole
Sharp Little Pencil
Nicole, you hit the most important point! True generosity is quiet and the giver does not call attention to her/himself. And yes, both have stories to tell… I appreciate so much that you got to the heart of this poem. Winging your way now… Amy
Renee Espriu
It is certainly the simple offerings we give in life without expecting anything in return that enriches other’s lives that cross our path. Thank You!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for your thoughts on this, Renee. Yes, she moves with quiet grace through her days, doing good for good’s sake, for God’s sake. Truly wonderful person. Amy
Rida
I like ‘she’.
Sharp Little Pencil
She is so worth knowing, Rida. I am intrigued by your blog title – shows a healthy sense of self-deprecation! Going to visit you now. Amy
Berowne
Calm, peaceful, but powerful writing…
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Berowne, for witnessing to the strength that buttresses the compassion! Peace, Amy
Altonian
I’m a bit late Amy, sorry! This is an inspirational story. What a wonderful woman.
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m a bit late in responding as well, Leigh, so forgive me. Thanks for this – and I agree, Kate is wonderful! Peace, Amy