By Colin Chappell | Featured Author
He listened;
He understood;
He befriended;
He cared.
All the courage he gave me,
By just being there,
Made me feel like
I wanted to live.
He gave me so much
Yet… had so little to give…
But his time.
I realized later
There was so much more.
I was indebted to that man
And… what’s more,
To experience the caring
of someone unknown
made me wonder.
Who else was out there alone?
History, thankfully, speaks for itself.
The evidence to me is quite clear.
Were it not for one man
Who held out his hand,
Would I even be here?
Would I even be here
To write these words?
Would I even be here to care
About others less fortunate.
The hungry; The sick;
And the ones for whom no one is there?
He opened my world
To a life of compassion.
He gave me a reason to live.
He made me see that…
Through the trials of my life,
I could help,
And I am so glad that he did.
I met a girl from the street,
Selling red roses simply so she could eat.
I met a man jilted by another.
I met a lost soul,
Who had nowhere to go,
And an old lady
Who just dreamed of going home.
For all their differences,
They had much in common.
They all just wanted a friend.
Someone to talk to.
Someone who would listen.
Someone with time to spend.
I listened;
I understood;
I befriended;
I cared.
Author Bio
Colin Chappell is a writer and the author of Who Said I was up for Adoption, Just Thinking, and The Odessa Chronicles. His blog, A Dog’s Life, details his days with his beloved canine, Ray. Originally from the UK, Colin now lives in Canada where he continues to write to this day.
Colin’s Blog: MeandRay.com
If you would like your work to be considered for publication on PhoebeMD.com, click here for details.
Categories: All Poetry, Featured Authors, Featured Poetry, Inspirational
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That’s true. Everyone has some say but only a few really desire to listen. Beautifully penned.
Thank you.
This is so sweet. If only we cared and truly listen more, the world will be a better place. 💯
Well now you have a good reason to be motivated … and teach by example! My “Just Thinking” book has many such poems based on personal experiences. Please give it consideration. Take care. Colin.
Yeah. I have and will continue too. 🙂
Thank you so much. 😊
Okay. That is really great.
I will do. Thank you.
Do stay safe. 🤗
thank you this poem was incredibly calming, and just gave me a sense of… well, wholesomeness. 🙂
Hi WT555! My book “Just Thinking” is full of such verses, most of which have a personal origin (as in “Just a Man.). I am not going to “hard sell” you … but you may wish to consider treating yourself. I think you would like so many pieces in it Take care. 🙂
lovely poem @Colinandray
I think it is a beautiful reminder to not be afraid to have deep conversations with those beside us, those we meet in passing, those we have known for years. We have so much to learn and so much to give.
Well at my age, one has to have learned something! 🙂
This is great
My father passed recently and this reminded me of him. I often saw his faults, but this shows me the positives
Thank you Colin and Ray
Stay Well and Laugh
Faults are little more than affirmations of our being. As I have said to many people – “I will expect perfection from you as soon as I can set the example. You’re quite safe for the immediate future. I do, however, expect you to learn from your mistakes!” 🙂
Very wise
Beautiful! So well written!
Love this one ❤️
Connections between us can save lives. Sometimes a small gesture can make a big difference.
Hey, I have nominated you for the Liebster award. Looking forward for your response.
It is true. Sometimes what the least thing (time) one could give could make a very big impact on another’s life no matter how little an impact it would be.
Thank you Phoebe for including this in your Blog. It is, like most of my poetry, a very personal perspective resulting from experience.
It is included in my book “Just Thinking” … which is available around the world from all the usual on-line book retailers in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
The FriesenPress Bookstore is currently selling it at a reduced price of $6.99 (paperback) and $15.99 (hardcover).
Thanks again for displaying it here. I sincerely hope that your readers enjoy reading this, and the other poems that you will be Posting. Regards. Colin.
Nice post