Friday, March 27, 2009

BAG LADY


every old lady lives in a shoe

until she doesn't fit any more

she grabs her huge bag

and limps out the back door


aimless and shameless on her way

clutching all her possessions

with her small knotted hands

and all her strange obsessions


wrinkled face and ancient hat

bag full of rags and tins

bottles and an old ring

she found in some public literbin


now without her shoe

with just her bag on the street

her face that has no curse

just a smile for the people she will meet


the old bag lady wandering aimlessly

with her feet covered in dirt

walking the downtown streets

full of surprises but always alert


first line by Carolee RWP

15 comments:

Christine Swint said...

I like the direction you took with Carolee's first line - until she doesn't fit! Inventive. Great photo too.

Wayne Pitchko said...

thanks very much for feedback

Jeeves said...

Very nice one. The way the poem flowed and the photo.

Tumblewords: said...

Nice work - the words are vivid and the imagery vibrant.

Anonymous said...

One nit my eyes did see 'liter' = 'litter' or is that the American way of spelling? We English use two 't'
And with memories in her pockets, hey? This describes how I'll be in a couple of years! Ha!
Lovely write, you.

Gordon Mason said...

There's a rhythm here that must come from her smile not her aimless walk!

Sherri B. said...

I loved this...the photo added so much to the poem. Great imagery!

Anonymous said...

oh, I love this!
And the photo is wonderful, too.

Wayne Pitchko said...

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read my poem then to comment..all of you...along with this site has blown me away. The photo is one of the many many faces/photos from my last 2 trips to Cuba...this lady was not what I would call a "bag" lady. Just a wonderful happy lady in Havana..but probaly poor by our standards..but very RICH.

Unknown said...

Hi Wayne. Thanks for finding my blog. You have some interesting work here and on your painting pages. I love the first image in this poem where she starts her journey.

Jay said...

Interesting interpretation of ageing for Sunday Scribblings! I could really see your old bag lady!

Heather said...

This is so touching. I can tell that your poetry comes straight from the heart!

I wanted to drop in and thank you for stopping by and following my blog. I haven't been doing much writing lately, but I'll sure try to take your advice to keep that notebook by my bed -- hopefully I'll remember to write things down! lol

susan said...

The old deserve better. Enjoy the write and thanks for coming by.

James Brush said...

Very nice. You do a great job painting this picture of the woman.

floreta said...

i like the reference to that old nursery rhyme!