Seen
from behind
and overheard
on a Boston street:

she reached into her purse
and left money in an old man’s hand.
Her friend said it was a waste because
he’d only use it to buy wine.

It’s not my place to judge what he will do,
she said, only my place to choose
how I will act. What I will do
is act as it seems I should.

Small words of one syllable
picked the lock on
my hope and it creaked open
just a crack.

This is who
we really are underneath
the pale rigor we wear
most of the time.

I pray
I am this worthy
whenever I face
an open hand.

I will learn when to speak
and when to fall silent,
for doors are closing all around me
and words can’t do everything.

I say, if there’s hunger, feed it;
if there’s war, fight it;
if there’s pain, soothe it;
if there’s hate, love it.

Seen
from behind
and overheard
on a Boston street:

I wanted
to cry, but instead
doubled back
to where the old man sat.

About Tony Brown

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A poet with a history in slam, lots of publications; my personal poetry and a little bit of daily life and opinions. Read the page called "About..." for the details. View all posts by Tony Brown

20 responses to “

  • isisoisis

    true mesure of a man is in the small deeds indeed.

  • isisoisis

    true mesure of a man is in the small deeds indeed.

  • isisoisis

    true mesure of a man is in the small deeds indeed.

  • isisoisis

    true mesure of a man is in the small deeds indeed.

  • isisoisis

    true mesure of a man is in the small deeds indeed.

  • pleepleus

    I thought this was incredibly beautiful. It definitely speaks to me.

  • pleepleus

    I thought this was incredibly beautiful. It definitely speaks to me.

  • pleepleus

    I thought this was incredibly beautiful. It definitely speaks to me.

  • pleepleus

    I thought this was incredibly beautiful. It definitely speaks to me.

  • pleepleus

    I thought this was incredibly beautiful. It definitely speaks to me.

  • radioactiveart

    Thank you.

    I try, wherever possible, to stick to small words in poems. For one thing, it makes the big words kick harder when you do use them; for another, I think the challenge of finding ways to use really simple language to describe very complex things, emotions, happenings, etc. is just FUN.

  • radioactiveart

    Thank you.

    I try, wherever possible, to stick to small words in poems. For one thing, it makes the big words kick harder when you do use them; for another, I think the challenge of finding ways to use really simple language to describe very complex things, emotions, happenings, etc. is just FUN.

  • radioactiveart

    Thank you.

    I try, wherever possible, to stick to small words in poems. For one thing, it makes the big words kick harder when you do use them; for another, I think the challenge of finding ways to use really simple language to describe very complex things, emotions, happenings, etc. is just FUN.

  • radioactiveart

    Thank you.

    I try, wherever possible, to stick to small words in poems. For one thing, it makes the big words kick harder when you do use them; for another, I think the challenge of finding ways to use really simple language to describe very complex things, emotions, happenings, etc. is just FUN.

  • radioactiveart

    Thank you.

    I try, wherever possible, to stick to small words in poems. For one thing, it makes the big words kick harder when you do use them; for another, I think the challenge of finding ways to use really simple language to describe very complex things, emotions, happenings, etc. is just FUN.

  • azureflame

    I’m liking the tone of the piece, the assonance and alliteration…also, the short sharpness of the lines contrasts nicely with the warmth of this kindness that the speaker has seen:

    Small words. One syllable each.
    But they picked the lock on
    my hope and it creaked open
    just a crack.

    Also, I like the setting, a Boston street.
    I adore:

    the pale rigor we wear
    most of the time.

  • azureflame

    I’m liking the tone of the piece, the assonance and alliteration…also, the short sharpness of the lines contrasts nicely with the warmth of this kindness that the speaker has seen:

    Small words. One syllable each.
    But they picked the lock on
    my hope and it creaked open
    just a crack.

    Also, I like the setting, a Boston street.
    I adore:

    the pale rigor we wear
    most of the time.

  • azureflame

    I’m liking the tone of the piece, the assonance and alliteration…also, the short sharpness of the lines contrasts nicely with the warmth of this kindness that the speaker has seen:

    Small words. One syllable each.
    But they picked the lock on
    my hope and it creaked open
    just a crack.

    Also, I like the setting, a Boston street.
    I adore:

    the pale rigor we wear
    most of the time.

  • azureflame

    I’m liking the tone of the piece, the assonance and alliteration…also, the short sharpness of the lines contrasts nicely with the warmth of this kindness that the speaker has seen:

    Small words. One syllable each.
    But they picked the lock on
    my hope and it creaked open
    just a crack.

    Also, I like the setting, a Boston street.
    I adore:

    the pale rigor we wear
    most of the time.

  • azureflame

    I’m liking the tone of the piece, the assonance and alliteration…also, the short sharpness of the lines contrasts nicely with the warmth of this kindness that the speaker has seen:

    Small words. One syllable each.
    But they picked the lock on
    my hope and it creaked open
    just a crack.

    Also, I like the setting, a Boston street.
    I adore:

    the pale rigor we wear
    most of the time.

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