The Drifter
Maybe this town’ll be different.
Friendlier.
Or leastways not as bad as the last place.
I ain’t felt so low since my draft notice in ‘69
except for the three years in Nam (Hell)
and an awful lotta times since then.
First thing off the bus, I locate an empty bench
so nobody’ll smell my stench. Then out of the blue,
this lady says, “How do you take your coffee?”
Then she brings out two cups of killer Joe
and sits down and talks, tells me where the shelters are
and about an AA meeting two blocks over, it’s tonight.
Didn’t give me them damn Bible papers
or try to drag me to her church, just a nice person.
Hope there’s more like her round here.
Cuz it’s gonna take more than the Serenity Prayer
to keep me on the wagon. Long road.
Lotsa potholes. And a little hope…
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Three Word Wednesday (Draft, Locate, Serenity)
Photo courtesy of http://www.nccca.org, a Christian organization mobilizing to help the homeless, including veterans.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
Loved this Amy. You just keep getting better and better . . .
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, I know this resonates with your faith as well… thanks, Amy
vivinfrance
Amy, this is one of the best poems of yours that I have read. It would make a great film!
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, a film? I could go on all day about the homeless folks I’ve met around Madison. Some of the most interesting people, so open about everything. Some need services and I try to help hook them up. I buy artwork or drop money into the street players’ guitar cases, or just that cup of coffee, that touch on the shoulder. I’ve been homeless, but I’ve never been lonely. Thanks, Viv. Amy
M.A.S.
This is really prose-y. But I like that. I like when a poem can tell an actual story. I also really like the nice lady. It reminds me of a story my brother told about our mom. There was enough kindness in this sorrowful tale to actually make me feel really good. Thanks!
Mike
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, M.A.S. Most of my poetry is free verse, and sometimes I actually write straightforward prose… this guy on the bench is Everyperson. He is an angel, waiting for us to call out our “better angels,” as Lincoln called them. All we have to do is say “yes.” Peace, Amy
Laurie Kolp
I hope he goes!
Sharp Little Pencil
He did. I walked him there.
Pamela Smyk Cleary
Oh, Amy — I LIKE this one. Grabs you & pulls you in. Nice write!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Pamela. There is something about the subject of homelessness, the reasons a person has become homeless, that intrigues most of us, but not enough to actually engage the person in conversation. Some of my closest friends in Madison are (or were recently) homeless, as was I back during the period known as “Amy: The Lost Years.” Peace, Amy
Anna Gramme (@hypercryptical)
Beautiful Amy – a poem of compassion and hope.
Anna :o]
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for seeing the whole picture, Anna. Love to you and yours. Amy
California Ink in Motion
Hi Lady! Been awhile I know. But this was a great moment to check back in with you, I loved the last stanza:
Cuz it’s gonna take more than the Serenity Prayer
to keep me on the wagon. Long road.
Lotsa potholes. And a little hope…
Hope is what keeps us going. xo
Sharp Little Pencil
Welcome back, Inkster! You are right – hopelessness and homelessness are not the same thing. Every homeless person I know here in Madison retains hope, through a combination of shelters, meetings, support, and sheer vinegar! Thanks, will come see you now, Amy
Di Eats the Elephant
Lots of truths in here. Folks who are homeless would rather avoid those who have strings attached to their help (‘do it my way if I’m going to help you’) not even realizing how condescending that is. Hurray for the lady who simply helped and let him be. No preaching.
Sharp Little Pencil
And doubly odd that the lady is a follower of Christ. I believe everyone can be an angel for the next person. There’s no need to rub the noses of people down on their luck in the Bible. This guy is Jesus, you know what I mean? To not engage with a person who needs a cup of coffee is to miss an opportunity to be human. Nothing more, nothing less. ‘least that’s what I think. Thanks, Di, Amy
ihatepoetry
Wonderful – esp that the person helping this one just helps, isn’t a proselytizer. It’s hard to teach about abundance of God’s grace when it always seems an exchange of goods is taking place. Loved this Ameleh.
Sharp Little Pencil
Buddah, you know I’m about the works. Everyone has a journey, mine included homelessness for a brief period, and I surely despise the “we’ll give you soup but first you have to hear a sermon” people. They are sucky Christians, because they are bigoted in the sense that they are SO sure the people NEED “redemption” or they wouldn’t be homeless. Try $3B debt to the Chinese and the mortgage fraud of the Bushistas, and homelessness is not out of reach for any of us, espec. lacking universal health care. God, I’m ranting again. I love you, bruddah. Ameleh
Beriowne
You captured the guy perfectly – excellent.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Berowne. How come your name is always misspelled? Is there a ghost in my machine?
purplepeninportland
Good work here, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, PIP! Peace, Amy
Karishma
Super stuff. Nice food for thought 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Karishma. Yes, food for thought, for giving away, too! Coming to see your blog now. Peace, Amy