December, 2009

A Hobo's Christmas

Hobos in holey coats
Would stand around the oil drums fires
At Santaland, sometimes sharing a thermos
Of Christmas cheer and off-key caroling
Of “Joy to the World”
After all the children had gone home,
Until the city put up a high fence
Around the seasonal attraction,
Where a tollbooth with a charge
Enjoys very few visitors.
But no hobos bother those deserted fires.

Now the homeless descend on parking lots downtown,
Hugging the hoods of parked cars,
Spreading arms over the still-warm engines
As an angel would extend her wings before ascending
Into the clear, holy night.

Michael S. Simpson
You have the gift of painting the scene and knowing when to stop--this is hauntingly heartbreaking.

Kate Sparrow
Poignant and depicted in an imaginative way. Love the metaphor with the angles!

erik99
The analogy (hobos/angels) in the second stanza is very striking, suggesting (though not explicitly saying it) that the hobos could equally be angels.

Kerry O'Connor
You have captured a world of contrast here. Excellent as always.

Susan Jarvis
The truly remarkable images in the second stanza of this heartrending poem put a true perspective on the commercialism and greed surrounding Christmas. An exceptional piece of writing!

Carl Harris
This is a very sad and touching poem, Susan, about the plight of the homeless during winter. It's a shame that not all cities provide a homeless shelter for those in need of a warm place to lay their head and fill their stomachs with decent food. Your fine poem was vividly expressive in every line. Carl.