Beggars and Cars

Along the old boulevard where city lights are bright
There are dauntless beggars wonderin', braving hunger.
Their eyes are glaring, aimlessly gazin' through the night
Searching for love that a traveler might offer.
Amidst darkness they wait for the light to turn red
For work they must by knockin' on cars' tinted glass.
Some give 'em money while others offer loaves of bread;
Yet many say sorry and shoo them away like rats.
As the light turns green, delighted are these machines
Flying like sparrows as if there's no tomorrow.
Dark clouds of charcoal billowing from their engines
Merely add to this mendicants' fate and sorrow.
Oh, poor beggars, like rats, risking their lives on the road
For some cars, like sparrows, cruisin' fast on the road.

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© 2000 by Ludwig Ritchel A. Kalambacal

POST-SCRIPT: This sonnet is an original composition of Ludwig Ritchel A. Kalambacal, which was published by the International Library of Poetry in 2000 in its poetry anthology coffee table book "Ballads of Our Lives". The poet is posting this composition in support of the Blog Action Day '08, which theme focuses on poverty.