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A penny's worth of pride

By garycwh

Topics: Poetry Source: AllPoetry Original source

The stench offended my senses   as I savored my 'tofu' in   Ampang's famous restaurant... A bony hand rudely interrupted   my indulgence Holding a cracked plastic mug,   the clinking coins with a familiar gesture     appealed for my sympathy. She was bent at her back yet   that's all that time has bent. She had her wealth all wrapped up   in the plastic sack on her back,   she left no other riches to her children. Her duty to nature completed   with her un-filial offsprings cussing. Hesitation followed as my hunger   battled the hypocritical urge to give... I dropped a coin if only to bring myself peace. A coin?   Her pride's worth as she slowly     dragged on cussing under her breath. Her weathered wrinkles frowned   throwing angry looks at a nonchalant fool..     who continued feasting if only to satisfy       his hunger and not guilt. I've seen her before   and I'm sure many times more. She left in the rain   her plastic bag barely kept her dry I waited for the rain to stop   but no one escapes the rain     'cause everyone gets wet. Written November 24th, 2001 © on Nov 23 2001 03:24 PM PST   18 • 0 • 9

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"The stench offended my senses   as I savored my 'tofu' in   Ampang's famous restaurant... A bony hand rudely interrupted   my indulgence Holding a cracked plastic mug,   the clinking coins with a familiar gesture     appealed for my sympathy. She was bent at her back yet   that's all that time has bent. She had her wealth all wrapped up   in the plastic sack on her back,   she left no other riches to her children. Her duty to nature completed   with her un-filial offsprings cussing. Hesitation followed as my hunger   battled the hypocritical urge to give... I dropped a coin if only to bring myself peace. A coin?   Her pride's worth as she slowly     dragged on cussing under her breath. Her weathered wrinkles frowned   throwing angry looks at a nonchalant fool..     who continued feasting if only to satisfy       his hunger and not guilt. I've seen her before   and I'm sure many times more. She left in the rain   her plastic bag barely kept her dry I waited for the rain to stop   but no one escapes the rain     'cause everyone gets wet...."

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Author:garycwh

Source:AllPoetry

"The stench offended my senses   as I savored my 't..." by garycwh

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