LesleyScoble.com

I wrote my poem Give a Little Happiness in response to Sadje’s #Whatdoyousee #229 writing prompt.

Give a Little Happiness

I peer through the steamy café glass,
And wipe my nose and scratch my arse,
The fleas are biting,
And there’s a weeping sore on my leg,
What’s a homeless tramp like me to do?
All that’s left for me are plaintive pleas
and time to beg.
I watch the rich in soft glow lighting,
Laughing and enjoying a chat;
The coffee aroma is inviting…

A man approaches wearing a large, brimmed hat.
Give a little happiness, won’t yer guv?
Give a poor girl some love,
Won’t yer guv?
Buy me a cuppa coffee?
Or a cuppa tea?
Come on mate, be nice to me.

With that,
The man in the large, brimmed hat, says,
Move on you scum,
and pays—
 tossing me a coin.
I picks it up,
wipe a tear forlorn,
and scratch my bum.
~

Lesley Scoble, March 2024

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you, Sadje, for yet another wonderful #Whatdoyousee photo prompt.
Photo credit: Angeliki Mikropoulou

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Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.