you could come take a nap
then a hot shower too
and of course i will make you a meal
take some time to relax
but i’m sorry i can’t
really do more beyond all of that
the rest you’re gotta do for yourself
we could go have some fun
take a ride around town
see some sights and then take in a film
meet some folks that we know
but see that will be that
beyond that i can’t do very much
for the rest you gotta go it alone
it’s so good to catch up
and i’m happy to know
that although lately times have been tough
that you’ve made it this far
and have still got your wits
i’m so glad that i could lend a hand
i’ll give you a smoke
a few bucks but not more
there’s only so much i can do that will help
you’ve got your life to live
and you see i’ve got mine
go with God
can I get an amen?
oh it’s raining outside
hurry up there’s your ride
i’ve done all that i could
maybe more than i should
see the rest now is all up to you.
Your protagonist seems to feel a certain ambivalence here. Sometimes I yearn for the days – if they ever really existed – where life was simpler. The line between charity and love has grown hazy and we are less generous with our hearts. I always enjoy seeing how you look at things.
We can’t do enough for people, certainly not everything they often need. They need to know it and we need to remember it or our helping will be a hindrance and disappointment all around. Thanks for reading!
Reality’s not always pretty. But we’re stuck with it. And something is way better than nothing. And that’s the truth, too.
And that’s the way it’s gotta be! We can only offer so much support to each other, but it really is up to us.
a penny is all I’ve got to give
you say you need more
see Bill Gates
If that’s all you got that’s more than enough/
where resources meet desire. a hand is a nice resource. I often say this… if someone tripped in front of you, would you step on past or would you stop to reach your hand out to help them up?
Right, and I guess some would just walk past. Strange.
preaching, I was. I need to stop doing that.
Gosh you’re quite mild. and preaching to the choir! hehh
A woman trip in front of me, running down the stairs to catch the incoming local train.
My employer had warned me not to be late again
What did I do?
You were late.
You bet! People who need people are the happiest people in the world….
“Only the right amount of charity”. This says so much about today’s world. Nicely writ
Thanks bud.
Very beautifully written.
Thank you Bianca, nice of you to say so.
very good to see this
Thanks Dean, much obliged.
very welcome, Pete – glad to see you got the notice
I appreciate that coming from an esteemed dude like you
And in our world I guess it DOES matter, right?!
i love this.
So nice of you to say, thanks ohmadilyn.
you have some really beautiful stuff, keep on
Thanks for the encouragement, I appreciate it, and sure the hell am gonna try!
very true!!! in the end its our life and its our choices. Someone else can help us upto a certain extent and after that its all upon us
We’re born alone, we die alone! haha Thanks for reading and always nice to help or be helped but still up to us;
Hey – look at you, Renaissance man! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! Enjoy the ride, Pete!
Thanks GS!
HI Pete, What an interesting poem! I can’t wait to read more from you!
Thanks!
Hope you are having a great day and are inspired to write more poetry. http://www.segmation.com
I always am thanks and yes I’ve been to your blog, thank you, no need to remind me.
Wow! I like how the ‘rhythm’ of the poem sounds in my mind.
Good me too. In my head I mean hahah Glad you like neutral, appreciate you stopping by.
Awesome post
Thanks ugly!
Hey Pete, awesome poem dude! Also congrats on being “Freshly Pressed”.
Thanks bud, and hope you’ve been doing well.
I have been okay, cant complain. Trying to maintain… That wasn’t intended to rhyme. Hehe..How have you been? I do need to get back to reading your blog. I don’t know if its just me or it looks somehow different from the last time I was here. Anywho.. Stay Awesome!
Peace and Love.
I know the “maintain” thing and yes, nice rhymin there! haha I changed the blog layout a LONG while ago, maybe you haven’t been here in that long? Again, nice seeing you around and keep your chin up bro.
Thanks for this. “Oh, it’s raining outside” so nicely reflects the inside raining too.
all we need is leaving a pure world in mind
As pure as we can anyway. Thanks.
Couldn’t have said it better!
Thank you so much!
This makes me think about why it is better to learn how to do something rather then have someone do it
We have to fend for ourselves as much as we can no doubt.
Love.
Thank you Karen!
Gently and beautifully said, and something I needed to hear…we do have ‘go with God’ and make our own lives…and when folks are struggling it’s not easy to be the one to back off…but they’ll be the stronger for it. Thanks for sharing this.
Yes, which is exactly what prompted this. It’s hard to draw the line on what is helpful and what’s not. Especially when we care about someone.
You’re welcome- thank you for reading and commenting!
Thanks for this poem. It was a good reminder that we can only do so much. In the end a person needs to live their own life, we can’t live it for them as well, but we can be that helping hand that pulls them up enough for them to take their own steps and be there to support them, just as they’d one day be there to support us.
Agreed. Sometimes it’s hard to keep those boundaries and know when enough is enough. And sometimes it’s hard not to turn on ourselves too if we’re the ones helping,wishing we could fix everything. We can’t. Appreciate your insight.
Great poem! Indeed, sometimes you can’t take the burden off of someone’s shoulders but only make the bearing a little bit easier.
Thanks Nathalie, being it sounds like a show tune in my head it was fun to write haha
A spirit of encouragement and affirmation oughta be the way we walk around. Thanks for your comments! 
It is good post. Thank you. (((Be happy)))
Thanks!
I love this!
Thank you so much Create, nice of you to say so!
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very beautifully raw …
Thank you.
been here and love this post.
Thanks, glad you could relate.
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Amen!
And so it is.
I love poetry and I happen to especially love this poem. Thanks for sharing your talent and your work.
My pleasure, thank you for saying so.
You are very welcome!