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    Thorn Wilde
  • Thorn Wilde
    • Author
  • 09/30/2014
  • 265 Words
  • 1,860 Views
  • 10 Comments
Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Thorny Poetry - 2. The Coin in My Pocket

A poem I wrote on the metro one morning.

The coin in my pocket

The one I didn't give you this morning

Because it was early, and I was in a hurry

And I didn't remember that I had it until I had walked past

And I didn't turn back

Because it was early, and I was in a hurry

 

I'll probably give it to somebody else now

Someone else who needs it more than I do

Someone who can use it to buy a cup of coffee

Or some bread

Or clean needles

It's okay if you need it for clean needles

And I'll think it won't matter who I give it to

One beggar is the same as another

Right?

 

Or I'll keep carrying it around

Thinking that this particular coin has your name on it now

Whatever your name is

And I'll probably never see you again

And the coin will remain in my pocket

Until one day I cave and spend it on a cup of tea

Because my bank account is empty

And I'll probably feel bad about it because you still need this coin more than I do

 

You asked nicely, hand outstretched

No cardboard sign telling me your life story

No broken body sitting on the edge of the pavement

No rattling cup

 

I liked that

 

But it shouldn't matter

You're poor, and you're homeless, and you need my help

I've always been taught that charity is a virtue

And you need it more than I do

You need to coin in my pocket

And I walked right past you.

Copyright © 2014 - 2020 Thorn Wilde; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Thorn Wilde
On 10/01/2014 10:22 AM, nostic said:
I can relate to that story *stares at the coin in the pocket*, it just happened again today. Thanks for the thorny poetry.
Thank you! :) It makes me sad every time I walk past without giving... Though of course I know I can't realistically give to everyone. But it feels like, when I do have some coins, I should, you know?
Thorn Wilde
On 10/11/2014 11:06 AM, Lisa said:
Wow, that gave me chills.

 

At first I thought the narrator was talking to somebody in his house or apartment. I didn't realize he was talking to a homeless person in the street.

 

I found this to be a very powerful poem - a very powerful thorny poem! :P

Thank you! I wrote it on the metro on my way to school one morning, after passing a beggar in the street. Norway has just gone and outlawed begging (the law will be taking effect in January) so this is something I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Thorn Wilde
On 01/09/2016 06:23 PM, Mikiesboy said:

I lived on the street for seven years, though I never had to beg, but I know what it's like not to be seen. So this hit hard. I wrote a lot of poetry about my life out there and how it felt.

It's interesting seeing it from this side.

thanks,

tim

I'm lucky enough to never have been on that end, though I know plenty of people who have, and I always try to make a point out of treating beggars and the homeless with kindness, be they junkies, Roma, old, young or whatever else. Thanks for your comment! :)

D.K. Daniels

Lovely put; I like how you mentioned the diverse need for the coin. Be it, for coffee or needles. Sometimes I often wonder if I am doing more harm than good, by giving a homeless person money sometimes. I kind of followed through with what my mother does, I offer to buy them a meal with anything they want on for instance a subway roll. It’s so sad that many people will have that loose change in the bottom of their pocket and it will never see the light of day. :)

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Thorn Wilde
10 hours ago, D.K. Daniels said:

Lovely put; I like how you mentioned the diverse need for the coin. Be it, for coffee or needles. Sometimes I often wonder if I am doing more harm than good, by giving a homeless person money sometimes. I kind of followed through with what my mother does, I offer to buy them a meal with anything they want on for instance a subway roll. It’s so sad that many people will have that loose change in the bottom of their pocket and it will never see the light of day. :)

I know what you mean about offering to buy them a meal. I've done that, too. At the same time, I feel like there's a certain arrogance in me deciding what they need for them. Whatever it is they need the money for, they should be able to spend it as they see fit. And buying clean needles is better than shooting up with used ones. It's a huge, difficult topic, though. Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts.

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