St. John of the Freeway

by Larry Chamberlin   May 21, 2012


John picked things up off the ground.
He'd read flyers, old papers,
notes and magazines he found
despite their dust and vapors.

You'd think he was looking
for the holy grail of print
or maybe a gilded booking
to somewhere heaven sent.

You wouldn't shake his hand
covered in dust and grime
a stranger in everyone's land
clothes smeared by inky slime.

Used to pass him on my way to work:
dragging his shopping cart along,
eyes down prizing the murk
plucking golden dreams for a song.

Imagine him in a cardboard box
in his library of the alleyways,
reading the trash stuffing his sox
keeping warm beside the freeways.

Could he be Buddha, studying a sign
that the world is closer to nirvana?
Or just a homeless coot drunk on wine
seeking ads for the lost Madonna?

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Latest Comments

  • 11 years ago

    by Maple Tree

    I have read a few poems in my day on the homeless and I have to say this poem tops them all. The creative structure of this powerful piece touched me and the ending was a touch of reality, mixed with eye opening interpretations.

    This poem goes deep into detail- It shows truthfully tones and detailed imagery of the homeless man to a tee- It made me feel like the man didn't care of the condition he was living in, only to read his "treasures" This poem shows spirit! This poem was a joy to read. I adored the rhyme pattern throughout. Love this piece!! Well Done Larry

  • 11 years ago

    by Hellon

    I really liked this poem when I first read it and after several reads I like it even more. There are a couple of things that are bugging me about it though and I hope you will consider them?

    John read things off the ground.
    He'd pick up flyers, old papers,
    notes and magazines he found
    despite their dust and vapors.

    ^^^^

    The first image offered here is that John reads things off the ground which suggests that he just looks at them while they lie there...in the second line you tell us he picks up flyers and old papers. My suggestion would be that you swap a couple of words round...

    John picks things off the ground
    he reads flyers and old papers.
    --------------
    Used to pass him on my way to work
    dragging a shopping cart along
    eyes down prizing the murk
    plucking golden dreams for a song.

    In my opinion, you need a full stop at the end of line one...otherwise it sounds like you are actually dragging the shopping cart along...and maybe a comma after along?

    Just some thoughts I've had and have been nursing them for the past few months LOL!!!!

  • 11 years ago

    by Edward D Zurovec

    Great story poem Mr. Chamberlin. Who can not be touched by these lines. Though a transient, these people have a purpose and maybe more so than we realize. I guess most every town has their own Prophet, here he is called Buddy, same story, gratetful for any helping handout.
    Peace and Blessings

  • 11 years ago

    by Ms Happiness

    Amazing piece:) I enjoyed reading it

  • 11 years ago

    by Meme

    I dont know what feeling I got from this poem, all I know is I was wiping my tears at the end of it. It touched me alot somehow, or my subconscious atleast.

    I like your description of how you see him, the way you described all the things he do. The rhymes were flawless as always, and the piece is just outstanding.

    God bless this guy.

    A nomination in my book!

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