The Fingerless Glove

by Andrew Norris
(Weston Super Mare, England)

As you lay down beside me in peace whilst you sleep; I think of the pain thats stored in you so deep.

Amazed every day just how you still show so much care; The worlds full of goodness but yours is quite rare.

You would give your last breath to help a struggling soul; You can see in a person when lives taking its toll.

You put everyone first and share what's left all around; You would never think twice to give up your last pound.

A wondering stranger catches a climpse of your eye; There is never a time that you've walked on by.

Seeing more than the man you see the torture inside; You stop and talk to the man and help restore his lost pride.

An outstretched hand you will offer to the fingerless glove; Like his saint and his angel that's been sent from above.

Not a judgement is made or pity heard in her tone; Just a desire to show him that he is not all alone.

Teaching our children the value of charity; That the beggers position is not self explanitory

To sit down by their side and lend an ear to their words; Showing that there are angels amongst the ignorant herds.

The man with no name is the same as any other; Inside is the story for this book with no cover.

A little deeper to dig will open up this best seller; You take a hold of his hand as his story he tells ya.

As a boy he was told he would be killed if he stayed; So he chose the streets at eleven and from then his head laid.

Doing all that he could to find a shelter each night; Sometimes going for days with no food he could bite.

The streets did not care that I was just 12 years old; That this mere boy was afraid that he was hungry and cold.

As each day turned to night which turned to weeks then to years; I have hardened my heart and have run out of tears.

I was beaten so bad I could not manage to stand; My head used as a drum for the violent band.

As I stumbled back slowly where that night I had slept; I laid myself on the step and for two nights I just wept;

As I hardened my heart and learned to have a thick skin; I found a strength formed of anger from deep down within.

As I grew in my stature so did my anger inside;
I was fearless and reckless and didn’t care if I died;

With each day I got weaker and not someone to fear; Looking for ways to escape life through lager and gear.

Told everyday I'm a loser for not paying my way;
Assuming drugs is the reason why the streets I here lay;

As we said our goodbyes he whispered thanks in her ear; With one last act of compassion she wiped away his first tear.

An example of just how to live and how we all should just love; You gave a man normal who wears the fingerless glove.