Blood, sweat, vomit, tears,
At first glance my eyes saw nothing
save the usual rejection
of one so different edging her way near.
The world raced forward at a hungry pace
while she held me back
saying nothing by way of words
and everything with sadness upon her weary face.
Homeless beggar tattered and torn
wrapped in second hand rags
like yesterday’s trash swept out the door
nothing but a nuisance to society’s high-born.
I watched as people continued down the street
some crossing to the other side
stumbling over their many packages
in their efforts to appear discreet.
The stench rose to my nostrils as I watched with shame
and I cringed despite myself
as this fellow human being reached out for acceptance
in a world silently craving for the same.
A forever touch filled me with a warming glow
and we walked hand in hand
People stopped to stare and some shook their heads
at this crazy woman with her outcast in tow.
She leaned on me even though she wasn’t all that old
a hard life had robbed her of her youthful stride
and as I fed her food for her weary body
she began to feed my lost soul.
She was all weathered wisdom wrapped in forgiveness
a product of a lost way of life
one who had seen the other side of lonely
and once walked in wedded bliss.
How she came to be so alone
took hours of living, but only moments to see
that hers was a story lived by many
Yet, one which society would never condone.
In my arrogant youth I had ignored the truth
and stubbornly chosen to go about my own destiny
with blinded eyes and deafened ears
to the horror which had wasted her youth.
I glanced her way and my heart filled with pride
"We’re going home now," I said
She held my head to her breast and I wept with joy
to once more have my MOTHER at my side.
(c) Christine G. Law
All Rights Reserved
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