Friday, January 4, 2008

Sally's Song - Homeless in VIctoria

Tin Pan Sally she was known
Picked in dumpsters - lived alone
Sally slept at "Harbour Court"
Left on Douglas, right on Forte

Cup of soup and chunk of break
Ate in silence by her bed
Stole a cart from hobo Pete
While he slumbered in his sleep

Pushed her cart at dawn to beat
Other folk who worked her street
Blossoms pink like fairies float
On the rag she called a coat

Rising sun from Dallas Road
Bathes the sea in burnished gold
Daffodils in yellow sigh
And wave at Sally passing by

Squeaky cart with wobbly wheel
Broken shoe with missing heel
Sally finds a park bench seat
Settles down to rest her feet

Watches joggers running by
Zig zag kites that kiss the sky
Sally drinks in sun and sea
Smiles at pigeons by her knee

Folds her arms and bows her chin
Dreams of those who once were kin
Gentle folk to hold her near
Children's voices call her dear

Sally's song has reached an end
Wakens, stretches, rounds the bend
Where to sleep this evening late
Could be mission, park or grate

God who watches all day long
Will play a part in Sally's song
Find her shelter from the rain
Help her bear her endless pain

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