Down On His Luck
by Agnes Clarke
I can see by the shoes he was army
Look down and your face can be seen
Raindrops like silver they slide
Over round toecaps that fervently gleam
The straight back that carried his knapsack
Still held proud though down on his luck
Money may be at a premium
And gathering cans may be tough
That cloth cap that covers his head is charming
But begging in gutters it won’t
While breath still lives in his body
His mission is to make a point
Though times they have changed it’s a duty
To get up and independent be
If gathering cans is an answer
His family will be benefit free
Dressed in best suit and tucker he gathers
Staring people ignored without care
A harvest of cans for the taking
Tonight he’ll have money to spare
Gentle clinks sing his song of success
While colours shine bold from brands nestled therein
The weight of the bags increase his swagger
And a smile of contentment lifts his chin
Writers Bio
I am a retired housewife and grandmother of Jacob
I have been writing poetry for quite a few years
I enjoy the challenge of creating my verse especially from pictures
I live in Lisburn N Ireland and have been married for 50 years
Inspirational Image

Pieces Inspired by this Image
'Life in Six'
by Harmony Hodges
'Empty Vessels'
by Lynn White
'Walking on Mother’s Day '
by Sasha Kasoff