Photographers, artists, poets: show us KINDNESS.
The day of our Autumn fair
There was hustle and bustle
A temporary building site
Tents were constructed to hold the exhibits
The trees were not forgotten
Money was spent to protect them
With a red plastic coat
To ensure they survived the to and fro
Thank you our town
There was hustle and bustle
A temporary building site
Tents were constructed to hold the exhibits
The trees were not forgotten
Money was spent to protect them
With a red plastic coat
To ensure they survived the to and fro
Thank you our town
An underground train in the Paris Metro
system
On the way, my path crossed that of a young lady
Dressed in the clothes of her country
She was not French
She was squatting on cushions
A little boy lying next to her, sleeping
She stretched her hand out
Begging for what I could spare
She was not alone, but I could not give to all
My last day in Paris, a purse full of change
Worthless in my own country where beggars are rare
Something we would think twice about
Perhaps someone might see me!
This was Paris, a town for all, wealthy or poor
So I gave all my change
She took my hand in hers and bowed her head
Her Merci’s were many
I felt guilty for my life that had everything and more
On the way, my path crossed that of a young lady
Dressed in the clothes of her country
She was not French
She was squatting on cushions
A little boy lying next to her, sleeping
She stretched her hand out
Begging for what I could spare
She was not alone, but I could not give to all
My last day in Paris, a purse full of change
Worthless in my own country where beggars are rare
Something we would think twice about
Perhaps someone might see me!
This was Paris, a town for all, wealthy or poor
So I gave all my change
She took my hand in hers and bowed her head
Her Merci’s were many
I felt guilty for my life that had everything and more
I have been advised, more than once, when visiting certain countries....do not give money to people begging on the street, we do not want to encourage this. But it is not so easy to turn away from someone who is obviously starving.
ReplyDeleteI learned something in France. giving money to beggars in the underground entrances, where most of them are, is something done as a normal thing. I notice so many French giving their small change and not to French people. I think mostly centimes, but of course I had a few francs and just gave them to the lady. She was so thankful, probably never had so much given to her. Begging on the street is one thing, we get them in Switzerland, mostly drug addicts and there I do not give. but giving in countries where people are not so well off, do not have a social system - why not. the lady I gave the money to was arab origine. Of course, do not give money in an arab country, especially to children, you will be followed all over the place (Marrakech a good example).
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