Bud is Bummin’
Bud’s buttressing his building,
same as yesterday and forever.
Paper cup kept jingling:
The classic ask.
I’m boy I’m embarrassingly I’m
so damned late,
I buzz by him without blinking;
must rumble through
the crowded sidewalk,
Almost to the conference door.
My heart screams;
conscience bubbles through my bloodstream,
hits my medulla “obligata.”
Turning tail to the nearest café.
Two large coffees, a cup of milk,
a banana (potassium) and bran muffin.
Sugar, yellow, pink, blue packets.
I don’t take sweet, but he might.
Back at the bastion,
Bud’s taking a break, huddled under a blanket
I offer him the tray;
he looks up and mumbles, “What’s this?”
“All for you, sir, except the second cup.”
I blush, grab my portion, bend to share a hug.
I run off.
Blessings abound.
Angels around.
Dependence is a two-way street.
If we want to connect with them,
let’s show respect for them
Let’s interrupt our previously scheduled lives
for a moment of grace.
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Three Word Wednesday: Dependence, Kept, Rumble; for dverse Open Mic Night; and as always, for Poets United, my poetic hotspot!
Sharp Little Pencil 
Sheilagh Lee
beautifully said and so true give them respect.
Sharp Little Pencil
Respect starts with us, you’re right, Sheilagh. Thanks! Peace, Amy
vivinfrance
That is so cheering. Thank you, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, interesting response. I guess the good outcome is what counts, right? Love, Amy
Larry
interrupting for Grace is good…
Sharp Little Pencil
Always, always, always, amen. Thanks, brother. Amy
Angel Sharum
Beautiful sentiment in this wonderfully crafted piece.
Sharp Little Pencil
See, I can tell by your name… proof that angels are all around… thanks so much for your caring comment. Peace, Amy (and I’m coming over to see you now)
booguloo
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love…
Sharp Little Pencil
…and they’ll know we are BAD Christians by our “God hates fags” signs, picketing a funeral, right?? Couldn’t resist that comeback! Peace, Michael. Amy
Di Eats the Elephant
Definitely need to show respect. There but for . . . . Lovely poem about a tough subject. Blessings!
Sharp Little Pencil
Di, you said it. I was homeless once, briefly, and the idea of sleeping on a park bench, wondering where you are or not knowing where your next meal is coming from… not happy at all. Thanks so much. Peace, Amy
Debbie
Oh to stop and listen and bend myself to Him . . .to all the Buds I find each day. Thank you Amy! You are zizzling here, your pen is so hot!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hot pencil, cold hands, unfortunately!! Thanks for your response, Debbie. It’s all about love, right? Peace, Amy
Steve E
Sorry…already forgot how I arrived here. Glad though, to read “my kinda story”. Except you relate so well yours–grin! I could feel that man’s fingers and feet warm up, as his heart was warmed, by your willingness to focus on THIS moment, not thinking about the future–being late, etc.
Gotta be honest, I searched for a post to send you to read. One I chose is from an abandoned blog of mine, “steveroni’s blog” c2010. IF you read, please understand that I’m not a ‘real’ poet. Violin player, yes. Sober alcoholic, yes. Not well-read or writer-trained.
AND–I’ll return here, gonna keep your address
Sharp Little Pencil
Steve, welcome to the world of openness and no shame. I’m a manic depressive, PTSD survivor of childhood incest. My mom was alcoholic, and I’m all over Al-Anon, so pull up a chair and make yourself at home.
Violin player? My mom made me quit because the screeching interfered with her drinking, ha ha ha. (Dark sense of humor runs in our kinds of families) Will look for that post you’re talking about, or we can hook up later via email. Thanks for commenting and so glad you are here today. Peace, Amy
Janice (@mommyslounge)
What a wonderful poem. Did you really do this? If only people can do this more frequently – to be so generous with their time!
I recently posted: http://mommyslounge.com/2012/04/17/share-your-love-of-poetry/
Sharp Little Pencil
Janice, it’s always the truth unless I specify otherwise in the process notes. So you can imagine how truly thrilling my poems about childhood molestation are… oy. Glad you stopped by, and I’m coming over to your side of the fence now! Amy
John Evans
I have loved my visit to your blog Amy! Very benevolent spirit you are and humble as well. You made a magnanimous gesture towards your friend and this makes me happy; as well as all your readership. I am already a fan of yours. Must join your blog! Thank you for some incredible reads!
Sharp Little Pencil
Geez, John, I’m blushing here! Thank you for your support and kindness. I’m so glad you are pleased with my offerings. And you and I both know, more kind hearts in the world can create peace, if we really want it! Amy
Patti
I like this a lot, especially the first paragraph. It is so easy for us to be blind to the Buds of the world, or even resentful, The expansiveness of heart in this is uplifting.
Sharp Little Pencil
The heart is ever expanding, if we find peace. Also, our noses never stop growing, but that’s a story for another day! (Sorry, a bit manic here…!)
You are right – it’s easy to ignore the streetcorner guys and women, too, but once you find a way to help, it’s easier to engage in the dialog that, for some lonely folks, may be the difference between connection and suicide. Peace, Amy
Rosemary Nissen-Wade
Very well said, Amy, in every way.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Rosemary, I appreciate your stopping by. Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I LOVE this story, and the event it talks about. You’ll never know (but we can imagine) the effect that exchange of humanity had on him that day! Way to shine:)
Sharp Little Pencil
Like I said, ten minutes out of my day can make all the difference, Sherry. Thanks, Love Amy
Steve E
This is a note from DUMMY! I forgot (again?) to leave a link:
http://steveroni.blogspot.com/2010/10/wednesday-something.html
PEACE!
Sharp Little Pencil
Steve, the blog would not allow me to leave a comment, but let’s just say you are an inspirational writer. The chance meeting might have been with an angel, a human angel, and the fact that you climbed to a summit for the meeting only makes it richer. NO regrets when you are willing to give as well as take… even a picture. LOVED IT. Peace, Amy
oldegg
How brave are we to do this too? How do we distinguish the needy from the oportunist. It doesn’t matter, that we care is enough, even though they laugh at us at least they are laughing.
Sharp Little Pencil
I only give things, not money. That’s how I know someone is really in need. I’ll buy a train ticket, bus ticket, food, or coffee, and spend some time. Otherwise, they run off and I know it’s a scam, which is one way to live, albeit not very satisfying. There are so many who don’t need a simple cup of coffee, but human contact. Saw him again the other day, usual place. He remembered me – we have a “sidewalk coffee date” for next week. Thanks Robin! Amy
Tracy Crenshaw
I love this poem. I feel like I can actually touch Bud, he is that real to me. Beautifully written. As always, I am a fan.
Sharp Little Pencil
Tracy, thanks for this. Actually I don’t know his name yet – the illiteration came to me with “bummin” being either the classic idea of someone homeless, usually wanting to bum a cig, as well as the depression inherent in so many folks in his shoes. And Bud was my dad’s nickname, so there you go! Amy
Roger Green
I am always bummed out that people reduce people to titles, such as “bums”
Sharp Little Pencil
Roger, see previous comment. It was a sarcastic use, in the “bummin” is what most people call it – but also as in “bummed out,” depressed. Hope you didn’t think I was being insensitive… but would understand if you did, and hope this clears it up! Thanks for an insightful comment. Peace, Amy
brian miller
amen…love the compassion in this…you know i used to buy a sack of burgers and take them out to spend lunch with the homeless…sharing food and life….
Sharp Little Pencil
See, Brian, once again, my kind of guy. It the time spent that is every bit as valuable as the burgers purchases. Homeless folks are ashamed, discarded by “society.” The more we reach out and spend quality time, the more they feel good about themselves, a sense of purpose. Believe me, you have probably prevented more than one suicide… Peace, Amy
kizmet
Amy this tugs at my heart, I work at our local food bank on my day off and see many homeless young and old. Every day I wake up and have that moment of grace,of thoughtful thankfulness and I am happy to share what I can. Thank you so much for this
Sharp Little Pencil
Kizmet, as I wrote in a song, “On both sides of the bread line/There is room for grace.” You get as much spiritually as you give. And that is NOT why you do it. You do it because you are a good person. Believe me, they are helped so much by right-minded folks who don’t see it as calculated charity, and you are one of those special people, welcoming. Peace, Amy
Misky
Well done you for giving Bud some nourishment and friendship. And of course for a well crafted poem. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
I was going to write this in the third person, but the thoughts of “busyness” in my mind were important to the piece. Saw him again this week, same place, off my usual route but we will spend some quality time next week. Love, Amy
Adrian Giannini
Kewl scribe n tale
Sharp Little Pencil
R yew tawkin bout me? Thanx! Peace, Amy
M.A.S.
“Conscience bubbles through my bloodstream.”
That’s great!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, MAS. It’s exactly how it felt to me… Peace, Amy
Jae Rose
I imagine him building a buttress of cardboard – tools not fit for the job – and how we have concrete buttresses around ourselves which stop us from seeing – but then hope..because people such as you see..and give.. Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Now you’re making me think he probably does have night arrangements, hoping it is one of the shelters here in Madison. The building he seems to be holding up is on University property. I’ll have to ask him next time I see him – he’s off my usual route but I will stop by next week, since he’s always in the same place. People notice him. They just don’t do anything much… Love, Amy
kaykuala
Yes, for a moment of grace! How very touching, Amy! Not many these days would lift a finger to help someone in need,let alone handing over goodies of a lifeline. Great write,Ma’am!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Hank, thank you for your kind words. I don’t imagine myself as a hero who will solve the problem = far from it, but the little I do, with the little the next person does, well, at least he has some human contact and help, right? A
ihatepoetry
You do our shared saviour proud. And you hugged him yet? You get front row seats in Heaven for that. You make me proud too, sistah! Love, el Mosk
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh Buddah, I don’t want front seats in Heaven. The peanut gallery is way more fun!! Besides, having been assured by my sister that I’m going to hell… ha ha ha. Remember when PA had us write about a city, and I chose “Hell,” with brothels and sweatshops and child porn… it’s all here, baby, not in the hereafter, right? Love you, brudda from anudda mudda! Ameleh
purplepeninportland
Love those last two lines!
Sharp Little Pencil
The whole thing truly distilled down to that message, so thanks for mentioning it. They were added during a contemplative edit… see you soon, PIP! A,my
El Guapo
Inspiring piece. Rock on, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
Guapo, I rock, but you set the tempo! Love, Amy
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