Photo by Nathaniel Tetteh on Unsplash
skyscraper sunset
the outstretched reaching hands
left empty
Why despise charity when
it’s the greatest remaining?
I walked out of the grocers and into the dark. An indigent woman that mumbled incomprehensibly sat just within light of the store. Overcome by an inexplicable urge, I gave the woman a grapefruit. She uttered, “Oh, thank you!” A mysterious joy filled me as her hands clasped my meager gift.
Why should giving away one grapefruit trigger such sudden contentment? Years later, I wonder why I didn’t give her every bag that I had purchased.
I could easily have been the one yearning for such mercy.
moonrise
ever mindful of the hope
that doesn’t fail
“If you want to keep it,
you have to give it away.”
for Colleen’s Help Me Celebrate our 100th Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge! (outstretched, charity)
#Weekly Tanka Prompt #Poetry Challenge – Week 112 – Hope & Observing (mindful for observing)
Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Charity (posted by Susan)
Share the love. Spread the haikai:
Categories: haikai, haiku community
As usual, excellence post. Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Elsie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knows? Maybe to her it represented the sun?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps! Thanks, Toni! 🙂
LikeLike
No wonder they look sad as they are the forgotten people that no one wants to see. Excellent post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😀
LikeLike
Less is more at times–one grapefruit is perfect this once–and then there will be more occasions. I love how your final tanka completes the circuit of giving and getting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 😀
LikeLike
“I could easily have been the one yearning for such mercy.”….If we remember this life becomes much easier to live. Nice.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! 😀
LikeLike
Very telling write. I particularly luv the second tanka, Frank
Much💗love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 😀
LikeLike
If you want to keep it,
you have to give it away.”
So true … it’s a lottery which side of the empty bowl we find ourselves..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this. It reminds me of a winter day when I saw two homeless men sitting on the sidewalk. There was a tarp beside them. As I reached across to hand them a bill, a big dog stuck his head out from under the tarp, sniffing what I offered, likely HOPING it was some food. He was so beautiful, with such a hard life. I went back next day with more money to ask them to buy him food, but they had moved on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story, Sherry! Thanks! 😀
LikeLike
Wow, Frank. I really loved this. I loved your philosophical meanderings in your prose. This is such a great message and I often re-examine my thoughts like this too. To put it into poetry is pure genius. Lots of emotion in this piece. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️ Thank you, Colleen for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m seeing a new depth to your poetry. It’s fabulous. You deserve the recognition! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is lovely and and is a beautiful reflection of your heart. Giving to others can be the greatest reward we give ourselves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 😀
LikeLike
It is a gift to the giver to be able to give things away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Colleen! 😀
LikeLike
Thanks, Elsie!
LikeLike
Hello Frank! Wonderful message and beautiful poetry. Great post! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Vashti! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Why should giving away one grapefruit trigger such sudden contentment? Years later, I wonder why I didn’t give her every bag that I had purchased.” This was such a profound statement it makes you want to cry. I often go over my thoughts like this and wonder. As I grow more seasoned I aspire to wonder less and do more. Thank you for this post. God bless you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m happy you enjoyed it! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person