*****

We all know one or two Pharisees.

*****

Recorded Reading (2:46): https://www.dropbox.com/s/i960tmn01mq8v6z/Ungrateful.mp3?dl=0

*****

Ungrateful

A town took up collection for
The daughter of a local man
Her medical expenses meet,
For those expenses, they began

Her father’s budget to exceed ~
This place was the old fashioned kind
Did not continue on its way
Uncaring, unconcerned and blind

To that which any member might
Be finding themselves of in lack ~
Each one would give a little; all
Together thus take up the slack

One woman, who’ll nameless remain
Paused near the pot collection for
Considering if she should give
A penny, or a penny more

She dropped one coin the bucket in
And then continued through her day,
Unseen, an urchin followed by,
Shadowed upon her way

Her first stop was the library
“A recent contribution — mine —
Was giv’n just now!” Responded he
“We’ll just forgive this fine!”

Then to the butcher next she went
“I would have ordered more,” she say
“Since I that dime contributed
A little short — I cannot pay”

“No worries,” said the friendly man
“If you your only dime can pay
For someone else’s good, I can
Throw the extra in anyway”

Strolling along the roadway home
She chanced the local chaplain greet:
“You know, when my last quarter hit
Those coins, it made a sound so sweet…”

‘Twas at this juncture that the voice
Of innocence could clear be heard
From out the sidewalk urchin’s lips
Singing like a little bird

“I saw more money in your purse,”
He said, “and it just isn’t true
Aught but a single penny is
What donated has been by you

I heard it land, it made a sound
Like any other copper cent ~
I’m not sure by your statements
What it can be you have meant”

The pastor looked from woman to
The child, and then looked back again,
Seeming to remember
New commitment waiting then

And hastened he to tip his hat
And bid her quite friendly good day ~
No time had passed before both he
And our urchin were on their way

“My goodness,” said the woman to
Herself, left suddenly alone,
“Those people certainly must be
The very rudest I have known

That little boy had no business
Glancing my purse within,
And I had barely started
Conversation to begin

With that clearly inadequate
New pastor, it is true —
And not a single person yet
Has even said ‘thank you!’”

*****

Homeless until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ this poet presently lives under perpetual threat of towing with all possessions should her 23-year-old van stop running for any reason.

She is badly in need of a modest reserve with which to field any emergency which might occur.

Donors may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.