Choice Or Circumstance

In all honesty, between your title and the message the poem carries, I would completely drop the line "Man of the Streets." I've read the piece both with it and by skipping it, and it doesn't lose anything by removing the line. It actually becomes too repetitive and interrupts the flow of the poem. A sad, honest theme - one I've covered in my own work. Great message. Best, Ronda

The term man Of The Streets back east here connotates a street wise person. I agree with Ronda in that this can be dropped and the poem not suffer I can't help but think of a lone from a song when i read this "He was some mothers darling, He was some mothers son. Once he was fair and once he was young" unfortunately I have seen entire families living on the streets good write Chrystalie

No distraction from the truly important lines now! ~ Ronda

The poem is great. I didn't see it somehow before the changes, but it reads really good now. I see these people every day and some are truly sad. Some are there by choice and make a lot of money panhandling and some have been victims. Once in Houston coming back from one of my son's gigs, I saw several young boys and girls,very early teens, soliciting tricks on the corner. I wanted to cry, but men don't do that you know. riiiiight. Rett

You 'took me there' with some very sharp social observations and imagery. It's a subject I relate to closely and feel passionate about. You show compassion and understanding and captured the theme extremely well. Excellent writing Janice! Kaz It's impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside.

I love this especially because as wealthy nations we have a responsibilty. Mark (conect11) gives of his time and money helping the poor. He would be appalled I said this, his giving is purely altruistic. It takes the politicians and organised political activists to make the change. Did you know America wastes more food than it would take to feed all the people on the planet? This is a compassionate poem from the heart. cheers, Jess