Photo: Google Images Public Domain
Concrete gray becomes their hair
Sidewalk cracks too much to bear
Melding, blending with their position
No glance their way gives recognition
A man downtrodden, sad, consumed
Has no shelter within this tomb
Others care, some don’t have time
To tend a hand covered in grime
Human beings reduced to this
A land of plenty became an abyss
Once okay and doing fine
One tripping slip they crossed the line
Whole families now are on the streets
Life’s shifting changes kicked their teeth
Now invisible, we don’t care
Concrete gray became their hair
I’m linking this to the 100TPC Event at Into the Bardo/Beguine Again with Jamie Dedes. Come join us!: https://intothebardo.wordpress.com/2015/09/26/100tpc-reader-event-today-link-in-your-poems-art-stories-film-music-videos-for-peace-sustainability-and-social-justice/
Bodhirose's Blog 
Polly Robinson
/ January 16, 2013A most effective form for this poem, Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013Thanks so much, Polly.
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Journeyingopietry
/ January 16, 2013This is a great poem Gayle.
“There but for the Grace…”
Lo e
Christine
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013Thank you, Christine…and how right you are. xoxo
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Jamie Dedes
/ January 16, 2013Ah, I know it’s just so sad.
Gayle, bravo! Exceedingly good job.
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013I love your bravos, Jamie! Thanks for that. Yes, a shame that too many end up like that.
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brian miller
/ January 16, 2013a sad bit of truth….whole families out on the streets….what a thought that…and i imagine it will be just getting worse with ths economy….
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013I know…whole families…hard to think of that but I’ve seen documentaries and portrayals of those who have ended up living out of their cars…finding ways to get clean, eat and send their children to school. Out of a car…or tent. We waste so much of our resources in this country…it makes me ill….
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tigerbrite
/ January 16, 2013A sad story well told.
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013Well thanks for those words…I appreciate it.
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Mary
/ January 16, 2013Very evocative, Gayle. I like ‘concrete grey becomes their hair.’ That creates a very vivid picture. Sad commentary on today’s life for so many. We should be able to do better for these people, but I also know that some of them choose to live outside rather than in shelters…no easy answer, but sad to see scenes like you described in your poem.
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013Yes, I believe we could do better for those who don’t want to be there…no doubt about it. And I do know of those who choose that way of life…well, so be it. Thanks for the support, Mary…I enjoy our exchanges.
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Sherry Marr
/ January 16, 2013Great impact in this poem, which addresses an important topic. Well done, kiddo!
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013Thanks, Sherry…it is important. I love when you call me kiddo! 🙂
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zongrik
/ January 16, 2013wow, the concrete BECOMES their hair. that is powerful!!!
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013Yeah…I think it does… Thanks for those extra exclamation points!
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Miriam E.
/ January 16, 2013wow Gayle… such an emotional piece. you are absolutely right… it’s so sad.
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013It’s especially sad when children are affected… Thanks for coming by, Miriam.
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shanyns
/ January 16, 2013LOVE this!
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013Thanks so much for that, Shanyns.
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Renee Espriu
/ January 16, 2013You speak volumes here, Gayle. Everyday that I go downtown to work I see so many that are in such a state. Perhaps that is why I have written quite a few on this topic.
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Bodhirose
/ January 16, 2013I saw more of this when I lived in Boston many years ago. I hadn’t really witnessed it before then. It does leave an impact..I can see why you would write about it.
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ayala
/ January 17, 2013Gayle, I love this piece so beautiful and filled with sadness. A subject that I care about and has always been close to my heart.
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Bodhirose
/ April 3, 2014Thank you, Ayala. I care too.
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mobius faith
/ January 21, 2013Love this one.
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Bodhirose
/ January 22, 2013Thanks so much..I appreciate that.
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Inside the Mind of Isadora
/ January 21, 2013Very sad … and … true.
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Bodhirose
/ January 22, 2013Yes it sure is…
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