I would like to share a lovely poem written by Dawn Rowan of Nova Scotia about her encounter with a homeless man 33 years ago. Dawn was inspired to send it to me after reading Dancing on a Stamp:
My Soap Angel
I was young
In my early 20’s
Trying to navigate
The dark shadowy streets
Of a big city.
The towering skyscrapers
Blocked out
The warm safeness
Of the Sun.
It was Toronto
The 80’s
Small-town maritime girl
A little scared and
A lot overwhelmed.
I remember
One day
I walked past a homeless man.
He was pressed tightly
Into a concrete corner
Holding up his part
Of the cityscape.
He yelled out
As I passed by
Offering me
One of his carved soap angels.
He was proud of his creations.
Each tiny angel was released
From a heavily-scented bar of soap.
Or should I say “heavenly-scented”?
He gave me one.
Said I didn’t have to pay
But I did.
That little soap angel
Travelled everywhere with me
For almost 25 years.
Why I took her
I didn’t know.
But I do now.
All these years later
I see the angel revealed.
She was actually
A he.
Not carved in soap
But dressed in rags
On a cold city street.
Apparently
I needed a guardian angel
that day.
I just didn’t know it.
Every life makes an impact.
Creates a ripple throughout the world.
The giver
The receiver
Often not aware.
But the Angels always are.
wow truelly beautifull loved it.
Thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments….and to you Garnet, for my sharing poem, I offer my luminous gratitude 🙂
Beautifully written…Dawn as always I am your biggest fan…
Dawn..made this ‘old gal’sit and think about those words…tis true we all have something to offer and much to be thankful for.
Beautiful imagery with a beautiful message!