On three-legged stool,
outside New Cross Station;
‘I Am the New Jesus’
written on his T-shirt –
five-stringed banjo
at his feet.
A doe-eyed, kind of mangy,
jet-black Lab, paws
his precious hold-all...
‘Slazenger’ it says.
Bulging at the seams;
piles of endless days
stuffed inside. Tied up
in knots; colour-run
casualties – frayed
at the seams...
fragments of shattered dreams,
of broken promises, of ships
that never did come in.
‘Jesus loves you, son.
Oh, yes he does,’ he sings.
I toss him a coin, maybe two;
a bummed cigarette,
probably the nearest
he’ll get to heaven.
‘Bless you, son,’ he says...
picks up his bag and walks;
a pair of unlaced Nikes
stirring up the dust. Blood,
from a crown of thorns,
stains the streets.
Away, on the next block,
a siren, intermittently, wails;
his dog, pees up a lamppost.
People talked about him,
when he was gone.
Comments
fatboy74 | March 2, 2011 - 23:28
Once again another blinder - many, many lines of brilliance. :-)
Silver Spun Sand | March 2, 2011 - 23:35
fb - you shine pretty bright yourself. Many thanks, nonetheless;-)
Tina
Highhat | March 3, 2011 - 06:01
Yes captured very well Tina. A perfect big city phenomena. Absolutely brilliant little description. Thank you very much for all your wonderful poems. You are such a great poet Tina. I really enjoy reading your stuff.
;)Pia
seashore | March 3, 2011 - 08:09
Excellent.
Silver Spun Sand | March 3, 2011 - 10:56
Pia, many thanks for your kind and thoughtful words;-) So pleased you liked this one.
Tina;-)
Silver Spun Sand | March 3, 2011 - 10:57
Pleased you thought so, Coral and many thanks;-)
Tina
simonbarget (not verified) | March 3, 2011 - 12:47
I am going to spoil the party again. The sentiments are sweet but they're quite broad and obvious.
Could anyone possibly agree with me?
MistakenMagic | March 3, 2011 - 12:49
Love the reference to the crown of thorns, Tina. Reminds me of the song 'What if God were one of us?' Very beautifully described :)
Magic xxx
Silver Spun Sand | March 3, 2011 - 16:57
Simon - many thanks for taking the trouble to read and comment.
Tina
Silver Spun Sand | March 3, 2011 - 16:58
Hey - I loved that record, and now you mention it, it reminds me, too;-)
Glad you enjoyed, Magic and many thanks, and I hope your week is going OK.
Tina xxx
simonbarget (not verified) | March 3, 2011 - 17:21
You're welcome I always try to be honest, if there is such a thing
the unfolding head | March 3, 2011 - 17:31
wow. Made my day - FOCKING A.
"A doe-eyed, kind of mangy,
jet-black Lab, paws
his precious hold-all...
‘Slazenger’ it says.
Bulging at the seams;"
umm...yes please. YES! You put me somwhere in your mind, was great, thanks!
Silver Spun Sand | March 3, 2011 - 17:53
Thanks for that, I think;-) Oh, and also for the commas. Must be back in season, I guess.
Beeme | March 4, 2011 - 18:33
Ths is just fabulous Tina, so many great images. Haunting last lines.
Beeme xx
Silver Spun Sand | March 5, 2011 - 12:37
Thanks, Beeme. Glad you enjoyed;-)
Tina