Brisket and Buttons

Cherry

By jolono

Mon, 28 Jul 2014
  • 5929 reads
19 comments
 

Tired eyes open slowly as rain pours.

She stands. Ragged coat held together by string.

Thin scrawny arms reach into empty pockets

hoping for a money miracle. Nothing.

Her stomach makes begging noises

as she wanders into busy streets and

becomes invisible. A church close by

calls her name. Inside she kneels and prays.

For brisket and buttons.

Certificate PG
Poem
Poems of Life and Love
Other Fiction

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Joe,

In the overcrowded towns and cities,  I think we all know someone like her.  A great descriptive poem of  a sad but true situation.

Love the lines:- 

Thin scrawny arms reach into empty pockets

hoping for a money miracle.Nothing.

Great stuff.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Hi jolono.

You've painted her vividly with that feeling of an empy lack of hope that is still living. That's a great photo, too.

your poem made me feel hungry and at the same time, reminded me that I'm not.

Bee

Submitted by jolono on

Thank you jenny, it is sad. But a fact of life in most towns and cities. Thanks for the read.

 

Submitted by jolono on

Hiya Bee. Thanks for the kind words. I started with the photo and the poem came after it. I liked the thought of her only praying for buttons for her coat and a nice piece of brisket!

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

this is lovely Jolono. Out of interest where did you find the photo? 

 

Submitted by jolono on

Hi Insert. Bizarre but i was looking for a copy ( DVD) of Edna The Inebriate Woman ( Play for Today, back in the seventies). I googled vagrant woman and this image came up. I thought it was so good that I just started to write down words. That play has haunted me for years.....

 

Submitted by jolono on

Thanks Ben. I know exactly what you mean. Might just do that. Thanks for the read mate.

 

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Blimey, jolono, Play For Today.  Is that what got me ticking? Is there still anything left like that on TV?  These few short lines provide a vignette that tells the whole story of people who are marginalised (invisiblised) and written-off.  So much power in so few words.  Brilliant!

Parson Thru

Submitted by jolono on

Hi PT, The ones I remember vividly are Edna the Inebriate Woman and Abigails Party. I'm not sure there is anything like it still on the box. Great shame...

 

Submitted by jolono on

Hi Ben. I'd forgotten that "Nuts In May" was originally a Play For Today, as was "The Black Stuff". I'll have a look at that box set. Sounds like a good one.

 

Submitted by scratch on

This is really excellent Jolono.  I don't know how it's possible that I missed it and to add insult to injury I can see that there is another to read too.  I'll get in to it.  Congrats on the pick!

 

Submitted by jolono on

Thank you Scratch.

 

Submitted by Shannan on

Interesting for me that I read this today because my Facebook post last night read so: "Lord, I know I don't say it often enough, but please know that I am grateful for the food in my tummy, the roof over my head and the warm bed I have to sleep in. Thank-you." . . . Reading poems like this with the truth of our blessings displayed through the "what could be" is so important... creates awareness of what we need to do too... Thanks j. Keep well. $

 

Submitted by jolono on

Shannan, what a lovely thing to say. I have no religous beliefs but admire those who do. May your god bless you and give you all that you desire. I hope that you are well and KEEP WRITING....

 

Submitted by Shannan on

Ahh, thanks j, it's simply my truth... and, actually, I believe it's quite the other way around! I take my hat off to everyone who chooses not to have a faith path... I couldn't survive this broken planet without the knowledge of hope and unconditional love :-) You got me thinking - so I wrote, like you capitalised ;) heh, heh, even though I'm nowhere near as 'popular' as yourself, I don't think I could stop writing, even if I tried. Thanks so much for your wishes. Stay fab! $ http://www.abctales.com/story/shannan/choosing-what-believe

 

Submitted by jolono on

Thanks Arcane, one pf those pieces that just seems to come out of nowhere!

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Jolono,

This is one bloody good poem and no more nonsense about you not being a poet.   I think this is a brilliant and concise piece of work that highlights what it must be like to be a 'bag lady'.

As for Nuts in May, that's a bit of a coincidence because I have written a sketch for the Parkinson's Players for their next performance.  It is based on 'Nuts' but mine is called 'Nutters in May' and when I have caught up with everyone then I shall start to post some of the sketches and monologues.

Anyway, hope Chester is still doing well.   Lincoln is looking great at the mo.

Moya

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Oh, and who gave you that photo.  I was just having a quiet smoke...next thing a camera flashes in my face.

 

Submitted by jolono on

Hiya Moya. Cant wait to read some of the sketches and monologues, you do them so well you old playwrite you...

Chester is well. i've just come back from a weekend on the Sussex Downs. We took Chester so he could have a bit of a holiday. Haven't walked so much in years. Chester loved it. Glad that Lincoln is looking good.