The Outcasts Of Society
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2009
by David Pekrul
The following poems are about what we would consider the outcasts of society. But each one has their story. As we often hear, "But for the grace of God, there go I."
Street-Hardened Bum
Whether I stay here,
Or whether I go,
No one will notice,
And no one will know.
Alone in a crowd,
No one can hear, yet
I'm screaming out loud.
Jostled from both sides,
And pushed from behind,
Though they can see me,
They act like they're blind.
Drops in a puddle,
Is what I've become,
Lost in this city,
The whole of the sum.
Living in squalor,
And treated like scum,
All that is left is
A street-hardened bum.
Searching For A Dollar
Waking to the sound of garbage trucks,
he stumbles down the alley,
looking for a dollar.
People rush by, unnoticing,
their thoughts filled with dreams and ambitions,
while he stands with his hand held out,
looking for a dollar.
There was a time when he, too, was one of the 'unnoticing',
raising a family and working for his future,
........then there was the accident.
Now he sleeps with a bottle in his hand,
his nightmares filled with visions of headlights,
the sound of tearing metal,
the screeching of tires,
the screams,
........and the silence.
His family is gone.
Now he walks the streets of the city,
with a heart full of remorse,
just looking for a dollar.
I Can't Get Up
I've fallen and I can't get up,
I'll die right here with any luck,
My life, it stinks and really sucks,
I try, but I cannot get up.
The people pass me by each day,
They look my way, as here I lay,
I call to them, but they won't stay,
They turn and hurry on their way.
They say that it is all my fault,
That I am not the nation's salt,
They say I'm full of hops and malt,
And landed here by pure default.
A common drunk is what I am,
But yesterday I was a man,
And with your help, again I'll stand,
And do the very best I can.
So I can be completely free,
To show the world what I can be,
But if they will not try to see,
Will you at least have faith in me?
If this article is used in any publication, please send a copy of the publication to David Pekrul at
170 Carr Cres.
Okotoks, AB
T1S 1E3
Canada
E-Mail:dpekrul@gmail.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)David,WOW, three in one! I feel special to have had the opportunity to be blessed by your skills, David. Well done, and I especially like the last one (smile).Thank you Ronyae,It is a pleasure and privilege to write for those who appreciate what is written.Thank you.
Great poem. Well done.I find that people -in general - like to ignore people who do not fit the norm.I know a person who lived in the city who told me that I was not allowed to tell any of his friends that I liked Eric Clapton or indeed any other "non-normal" music. He gave me a list of popular "cool" songs and singers to lean so if people asked me about music I could give a socially acceptable answer.I told him to get stuffed and announced it my taste in music to everyone- No-one spoke to me almost for evening.It was years and years ago but it still holds up in society.You're right, Connor.It sure makes for a disconnected world, doesn't it.It certainly does.
Hi David,Your poems always touched me...that's how good you are! Thank you for writing these poems.Your avid fan,NenitaThank you for your kind comments, Nenita.They are an encouragement for me to keep writing.Blessings,DavidDavid,When I was working in NYCA homeless man, I used to see.In the sidewalk, he stood thereAs if waiting for someone dear.He did not extend his hand,And I could not understand.I gave him a cup of coffeeAnd a muffin, and he said "thanks".Your avid fan,NenitaA wonderful, warm story and even put in poetry form!! I'll bet that man still thinks about that small gesture on your part and wonders why.Thanks for sharing this.
Beautiful poems David,I can relate all too well, with "But for the Grace of God there go I." I was once there myself and praise the Lord, that He used my Mom to plant a seed that helped turn my life around. Most people will act like I am a disgrace when they hear where I have come from. Many other's will stand by my side and help me to stay focused. Thanks for sharing these poems.God bless,Thanks Michelle, for your wonderful comment.Even if you came out of a bad situation, does that make it disgusting?, or does that make you one of God's miracles. I think it makes you one of God's miracles.I wrote these poems purely from my imagination, as I was fortunate to be raised in a Christian home and never really rebelled, so never had experience on the darker side of life; I was just an average teenager.Thanks again for reading and commenting.Yes David you're right. I am one of God's miracles. Than again so is anyone's life. Thank you.Michelle
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