This Poem was Submitted By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2008-03-08 17:52:56 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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The Beggar

Down the road and to the right a shadow formed, stooped silhouette of a beggar.  His early morning stride was slow, face held grooves deep and long. His pants of tatters slung too low, sun shrunken clouds lay wrong. He stood in a field by the road, gnarled hands held crumpled sack. Drape and shape of his stance bowed. Burdens slumped his back. Laden feet braced inside a breeze, once shaken and twice spent.  Unto the ground he bent his knees, air ripples still, silent. His thin hands held palm to palm, Jaded eyes heaven bent and contours of his frame were calm. Thank You, he sighed, content. My soul was like a bone exposed until the beggar led me to repose. 

Copyright © March 2008 marilyn terwilleger


This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2008-04-06 16:36:14
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Marilyn, I'm trying to figure out the repose thought! Were you at peace, because you felt happy to be better off? Or because you gave help to someone. I just feel upset by beggars because but for the grace of God go I. Help me know your thought? Dellena


This Poem was Critiqued By: Terry A On Date: 2008-03-09 20:21:17
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.50000
Hi Marilyn, The theme of gratitude come upon in the final lines of your poem. This poem truly shows that so often it is in the most unexpected ways, that something touches us with its meaning so intensely that all the travail of living vanishes, even for just awhile. The read of the poem and the description give it a medieval air, one appropriate to your telling. We forget sometimes that there are those not so contrained to the 'rat race', that have placed their values on different advance. That doesn't mean I'm sympathetic to the "Blessed are the poor..." when it's meaning was supposed to confront a corrupt priest caste, not make or give saintliness to poverty. That is not what your poem adresses, I understand this. Good poem and nice to see your range of subject matter expanding. Terry
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2008-03-08 19:53:59
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
From start to finish this one touches your soul.....filled with so many images and feelings, reminds me of one I wrote many years ago........certainly one for the contest, one for sharing and one for keeping close to read over and over again... I love the image created in the following stanza..... His thin hands held palm to palm, Jaded eyes heaven bent and contours of his frame were calm. Thank You, he sighed, content. Always a pleasure to find your work and this one is certainly filled with topping. God Bless, Claire
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2008-03-08 19:47:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Oh Marilyn, Such an awesome faith filled recite...how can I review something that takes my breath and words away and left but to bend head in thanks for the blessings I have. I can not pick a favorit line for the whole is my favorite...I'm printing this out and keeping it up by my desk so when I get down hearted I can read and remember. TC Lora
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