From town to town he walked but he never stayed for long
Shun by all and harassed, he would move away erelong
Begging by the sidewalks or scavenging through the dump
Sometimes even stealing, on days when he was up a stump
Not the choice he wanted but ‘twas the only choice he had
Friendless and unwanted the lot of a vagrant sad
He had been on the move, a journey that never ends
What he would find he knows not, for it was ne'er round the bend
His summer then be o'er, what then would falling leaves portend?
A warm breeze brushed his face as he trudged along his way
Flowers teased his senses on that lovely day in May
He stopped awhile and lingered, his weary legs to rest
And watched the sheep grazing, speckled on a nearby crest
The peace was rudely shattered when dark clouds rolled on by
Quickly he got on his way, his brief repose denied
Then autumn mocks the summer as leaves began to brown
Dawn brought a misty screen, drifting by without a sound
In the autumn of his life; only misery abound
A sad and beautifully thought out poem with a good rhythm. I saw your Limerick under one of Valsa's poems and thought I'd have a nosy at yours. Glad I did. This is really good.
Another touching poem by Loke Kok yee, how nicely he is writing poems on pverty and begging.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Your poem accentuates the sad reality that the homeless endure. When I read your poem I felt a deep sadness for people with no-where to rest up, kick back and enjoy the fruits of having your own space to call home. To be moved along by people and weather is so disheartening. What chance is there of getting a job if you showed up in rags and had no abode to return home to shower and change? No employer would be the slightest interested in providing work. Your beautifully penned poem gives the cold hard facts of how it is for these poor souls with nowhere to go and no place to call home...10+++