I saw a man walking, crying
The closeness, yet the distance of life in the city.22 total reviews
Comment from dragonpoet
This is a sad poem about how people avoid helping those who need it and the reasons they use to not become involved when it is needed. The poem uses repetitition and emotion well.
Congrats on placing third in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthly.
dragonpoet
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2021
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This is a sad poem about how people avoid helping those who need it and the reasons they use to not become involved when it is needed. The poem uses repetitition and emotion well.
Congrats on placing third in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthly.
dragonpoet
Comment Written 29-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 29-Jan-2021
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Many thanks.
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Don't mention it.
dp
Comment from F J Kun
B2: Very nice. You capture well the struggle to reach out, yet the fear of intrusion, of strangers, and well, of strong emotion publicly portrayed. I can well recall seeing a woman absolutely disconsolate, in tears, on the subway and thinking these very things. I had many of these thoughts, and the experience stuck with me. Excellent.
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2021
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B2: Very nice. You capture well the struggle to reach out, yet the fear of intrusion, of strangers, and well, of strong emotion publicly portrayed. I can well recall seeing a woman absolutely disconsolate, in tears, on the subway and thinking these very things. I had many of these thoughts, and the experience stuck with me. Excellent.
Comment Written 26-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2021
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Thank you. Yes, I went through all these things, and in the end, walked on by. It's something you never forget.
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Brad, congrats on your prize! Not surprised. This is a heartbreaker--an original theme--stunning depiction of bystander agonizing whether to intervene. Cheers. LIZ
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2021
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Brad, congrats on your prize! Not surprised. This is a heartbreaker--an original theme--stunning depiction of bystander agonizing whether to intervene. Cheers. LIZ
Comment Written 26-Jan-2021
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2021
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Hi Liz. Nice to hear from you. Thanks for your great review.
Comment from ElPoetry001
Walk on by, is the prudent cry. Notify "first responders."
The cries of a drowning man are obvious. In all other circumstances it is a enigma..
Who but the unwary would move, without contemplation of the situation.
Crying is the release of stress, and the opportunity to assess, what is fact and what is emotion, compassion or distraction. It is generally a private emotion and is not a cry for intervention.
Situations are not always what they seem, and when emotion brings you in; reality determines your prize or punishment.
Let the experts determine the problem, and provide assistance, if warranted.
Financially, we cannot respond to every emotionally wrapped appeal for help. Some of which are scams. "Please, Sir, I want more." Oliver Twist
In some situations the potential helper is told to "butt out."
So much for the altruistic.
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2020
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Walk on by, is the prudent cry. Notify "first responders."
The cries of a drowning man are obvious. In all other circumstances it is a enigma..
Who but the unwary would move, without contemplation of the situation.
Crying is the release of stress, and the opportunity to assess, what is fact and what is emotion, compassion or distraction. It is generally a private emotion and is not a cry for intervention.
Situations are not always what they seem, and when emotion brings you in; reality determines your prize or punishment.
Let the experts determine the problem, and provide assistance, if warranted.
Financially, we cannot respond to every emotionally wrapped appeal for help. Some of which are scams. "Please, Sir, I want more." Oliver Twist
In some situations the potential helper is told to "butt out."
So much for the altruistic.
Comment Written 21-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 21-Nov-2020
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Well said Elpoetry001, and thank you for your 6 stars. Your observation is correct. I went through all 5 stanzas in that brief moment, then didn't intervene. But some have told me they would have, mostly women, it's their instincts I imagine. This event stuck with me for years. Somehow getting it out in that little poem, has helped me put it away. Thank you again.
Comment from Janice Canerdy
So often we pat ourselves on the back for not getting involved in another's troubles, not "interfering" or being "nosy." Later we realize action was needed. Your poem is very thoughtful, descriptive, and moving.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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So often we pat ourselves on the back for not getting involved in another's troubles, not "interfering" or being "nosy." Later we realize action was needed. Your poem is very thoughtful, descriptive, and moving.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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Thank you Janice. So glad you liked it. This happened many years ago, and I still haven't forgotten it. I will always wonder.
Comment from Wendy G
Oh, such a well-written poem. All the possibilities for his weeping, all the excuses not to get involved. So like us all, unfortunately. I did hope that at the end the person might offer help! So the not knowing is all the more poignant as it is a reflection on all of us and our lack of compassion. Beautifully written.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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Oh, such a well-written poem. All the possibilities for his weeping, all the excuses not to get involved. So like us all, unfortunately. I did hope that at the end the person might offer help! So the not knowing is all the more poignant as it is a reflection on all of us and our lack of compassion. Beautifully written.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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Thank you, Wendy. So glad you liked it.
Comment from Rx kingpen
Very interesting. I've also seen that man or woman crying for various reasons. It could be from all the reasons you named. And much much more.
In fact, come to think of it, that man has been me.
I give you credit for undertaking this subject awesome. The first of it's kind.
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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Very interesting. I've also seen that man or woman crying for various reasons. It could be from all the reasons you named. And much much more.
In fact, come to think of it, that man has been me.
I give you credit for undertaking this subject awesome. The first of it's kind.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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Thank you. Very meaningful of you to say that. That incident was over 30 years ago, yet I've never forgotten it.
Comment from mermaids
Your free verse poem is a true to life poem. How often we observe people and wonder about them. You ask questions in your words that are real and most individuals would think this way. Excellent poetic form and use of words that takes the reader to another place.
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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Your free verse poem is a true to life poem. How often we observe people and wonder about them. You ask questions in your words that are real and most individuals would think this way. Excellent poetic form and use of words that takes the reader to another place.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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Thank you. I saw this man walk by over 30 years ago, and I still ask myself if I should have stopped.
Comment from Taurus the Elder
Very good. Dude, along with your line " the closeness yet the distance of life in the city" hit the nail on the head of life in the big city. We see someone in distress and just keep on going, sad but true for the many reasons you give in your work. Great job, good luck in the contest, I think you nailed it.
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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Very good. Dude, along with your line " the closeness yet the distance of life in the city" hit the nail on the head of life in the big city. We see someone in distress and just keep on going, sad but true for the many reasons you give in your work. Great job, good luck in the contest, I think you nailed it.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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So glad you liked it. This happened over 30 years ago, yet I still haven't forgotten that guy. Thank you.
Comment from Frederick Samson
This poem describes the feeling of today's society amazingly. That feeling of wanting to put your arm around someone but afraid of the reaction. It creates isolation in so many ways. It's like trying to reach out but making sure you don't make contact. Where do we stand. I really liked this write.
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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This poem describes the feeling of today's society amazingly. That feeling of wanting to put your arm around someone but afraid of the reaction. It creates isolation in so many ways. It's like trying to reach out but making sure you don't make contact. Where do we stand. I really liked this write.
Comment Written 18-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 18-Nov-2020
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Thank you, Frederick. You read this perfectly. Glad you liked it.
