I'm a Tramp

But I'm a clever man

This deprivation follows me around,
These ill advised lips do not make a sound,
A kleptomaniac behind emaciated skin,
Alley ways are humble, dinners in the bin.

My tolerance of people is pernicuous to start,
But behind this scrawny body is a decent, loving heart,
Perceptive to surroundings, trying to revamp,
Unavailing that would be, for you can not change a tramp.

Reviews

[Cathy Wattam]

Great poem again. Perceptive and in a way, a true stark reality. Just because a person has to rummage in rubbish for food, does not take away their goodness and intelligence. Question though - did you mean "pernicious"? And "dinner's in the bin" or alternatively "dinners' in the bin" depending upon your exact meaning. Just a thought. Feel free to disagree. I don't mean to 'tramp'le on your grammar :-)

[—-]

Quite succinct. Nice flow and easy to digest. Well done.

[Distant horizons]

Love it, but is it about what we perceive a tramp to be thought of, or a tramps thoughts. Either way, its a fellow humans point of view, beautifully expressed

[Robin]

I like this , your weave of human nature and introspect is tactile and visual

[Marie]

Very perceptive. Good description of a tramp...or an alley cat.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

This piece is surreal. It has a bit of that dark gritty edge....
but a charismatic character none the less. Excellent portrait.

[Chris]

I wanted to argue this one with you... mainly because it has a realness that I can remember and a relevance worth speaking about... but I read the last stanza aloud three times and smiled each time remembering hands I held and places that weren't on tour maps... thank you.