Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

GIMME SHELTER

Hunched shoulders

hands in shallow pockets

hiding from the cold

left hand searching for an ember of warmth

in the corners of threadbare lining

fingers tingle

as he finds his last penny of comfort...

a pick for his guitar

 

His soul released

he starts to play

Hendrix style - Hey Joe

people stop, heads turn,

faces stare

as he rocks All Along the Watchtower

 

Acoustic sounds chase the applause

around the subway walls

coins snuggle together in the guitar case

Purple Haze bounces off graffiti

every note stroking the imagination

 

He's in the zone

 

Then...

A raindrop falls on his brow

and rolls down the side of his eye

another trickles down his nose

gently dripping off the end

breaking his dream

 

Heavier rain dances

on the cardboard duvet

soaking his doorway bedsit

 

This is No Fixed Abode dale

this is My dale

this is Your dale

this could be Any dale

but it's not  Emmerdale

certainly not Emmerdale

it''s not  a soap opera

or a play

 

This is today...

 

Where decision makers

are stacked on rhetoric shelves

high

beyond reach

together with snakes and ladders

monopoly fat cats

sound bite bubbles

archived stats

quantitative easing

and austerity measures

 

No pleasures, fancy words

or curtains to close

at No Fixed Abode

just stars to count

with nowt

but a dream to chase

down the helter skelter

that screams

Gimme Shelter ! Gimme Shelter !

 

◄ CHRISTMAS CAROL

EYES AT THE SCENE ►

Comments

Profile image

Yvonne Brunton

Sun 30th Dec 2012 19:34

reminds us of the humanity and needs of those for whom what is regarded as a 'normal life' is out of reach.

tony sheridan

Mon 24th Dec 2012 20:51

Hi Mike. Spot on! Take care, Tony.

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Mon 24th Dec 2012 15:14

Lines that bring into sharp relief the truth that there is still need out there in the festive season - but, thankfully, there are
"shelters" too, funded and manned by the best of spirits.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message