Sparrow Line




Dressing up for the soup kitchen
is the new chic…
after all, the carats on my fingers
look striking against chipped china.

I think it is in a manual, Money Speak
or something like that where it stresses
charity photographs well.

Oh, I do enjoy being a bit of color
in the sparrow line shuffling cracker,
spoon, and tray… I always donate
what I wear so the street won’t
clutter my closet.

Goodness, it’s almost been an hour.
Time flies when soup calls once a year.

©Susie Clevenger 2018

Real Toads ~ Camera Flash

Comments

Fireblossom said…
Oh my. This sharply pointed and so true. When I have taken part in church soup kitchens (they rotate from parish to parish here) most of the people I worked with seemed to feel like how nice it is we can do something for these people. They didn't see that there is such a thin line between server and served. At the time, I was always three missed paychecks from being on the other side of that line.

Pssst...I do not see this linked at Toads. I followed from the side bar.
May 5, 2018 at 5:12 PM
kaykuala said…
Those who volunteered their precious time to help out at 'soup lines' must be prepared to lose out on other matters sacrificed


Hank
May 5, 2018 at 7:42 PM
rallentanda said…
Enjoyed this poem... it expresses great insight into the human condition.
May 5, 2018 at 8:38 PM
Isadora Gruye said…
I love your interpretation of the photo. You gave it an (unfortunate) unique voice. Thanks for sharing!
May 6, 2018 at 1:56 AM
Kim M. Russell said…
I love the tone of this poem, Susie; the woman's voice rings through every line. I particularly love the contrasts of
'the carats on my fingers
look striking against chipped china'
and
'charity photographs well'.
'...so the street won’t clutter my closet' is hat-pin sharp!
May 6, 2018 at 2:29 AM
Sanaa Rizvi said…
You absolutely nailed it!💞 Especially like; "I think it is in a manual, Money Speak or something like that where it stresses charity photographs well." Powerful write💞
May 6, 2018 at 3:32 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
I laughed out loud at the opening line, Susie. The voice is perfect!
May 6, 2018 at 4:12 AM
Anonymous said…
Charity does, indeed, photograph well...but if you're doing it for the photos, it's not really charity, is it? It's the opposite. Do all good deeds in secret.
May 6, 2018 at 7:46 AM
revelations said…
You hit the mark with this one... one quirk of fate and roles are easily reversed
May 6, 2018 at 11:16 AM
Gillena Cox said…
Nice response to the prompt. You began and ended on clever tones of sarcasm

Much🌼love
May 6, 2018 at 12:57 PM
Jim said…
A nice conversational piece, Susie. I make soup, now mostly chili and fishy stews. I do serve it sometimes, most often self serve from the pot or like Mrs. Jim, an electric crock pot. She makes the best gumbo. I don't dress up but probably I'm wearing color. And sandals.
..
May 6, 2018 at 9:38 PM
Frank J. Tassone said…
Steeped in irony--and pointedly real!
May 7, 2018 at 6:53 PM
brudberg said…
Oh this hurts a lot... We all know them... a privilege to be there and showing yourself. I think it's an all to common image...
May 8, 2018 at 3:58 AM
annell4 said…
I wonder, do you think she is over doing it. Volunteering for an hour a year? For me, she is wearing that, "excuse me," expression.
I enjoyed your write.
May 8, 2018 at 7:57 AM
Other Mary said…
Lol, another version of "ladies who lunch." Nicely done.
May 9, 2018 at 4:13 AM
Anonymous said…
scathing and hot - bitter spiced for those who pose as if service without humility, in true gratitude and compassion, is something that can be petitioned, and presented at the final hours as rewards for a job "well done" ....

but in this case, more than "well done" - most excellently penned!
May 9, 2018 at 2:21 PM
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