We all bleed red..

Based on the song ' Everyday people' by Funk and the family Stone former pop/soul group

I was stood in the queue of the portly butcher's shop floor
witness to an act malevolent, a business on the take,
Mrs Jessop her four young kids from lower class of town
served only lowest grade meat, offal and the like
though the proprietor charged her as if prime sirloin steak

Many years later, privy to a serious, life changing event
that same portly butcher under the consultant's knife,
angioplasty, break blocking aneurysm, cause of a stroke
just who was that meticulous, mercurial medicine man
Mrs Jessop's eldest son, the surgeon who saved his life

I was once a client of Bodrim's bank, deposit, withdraw cash
Bodrim the manager a sneering snob, sacked the janitor,
just because town's Mayor slipped on the wet floor, but Henry
a consciientious cleaner had put warning sign in place
even so no mercy shown, privilege of an uppish bank-manager

Not long after incident, I had an invite to Henry's celebratory bash
that same night he'd won the lotto jackpot, zenth's peak from nadir
over the course of 24 hours, humble cleaner now multi-millionaire,
by coincidence or was it fate? Bodrim's bank went bust, liquidate
but mild-mannered Henry not revengeful sort, Mr Bodrim's his chauffeur

Drummer Dave had a childhood sweatheart, pledged to marry
but with trappings of success, he left her sobbing at the alter,
aloof to fame's deception, narcotics, alcohol willing accomplices
forever in a rave soon drummer Dave, his mind succumbed to madness
patient in mental asylum, past sweetheart nurse, now cares without falter

These true too life stories, I tell in modest voice to you dear reader
in sincere hope you acknowlege, assimulate, absorb, take your fill,
for I am the spirit of the doctor, janitor and the caring nurse
and more widespread, I am the centre of mankind's compassion
sister, brother, father, mother, everyday people, who bear no ill-will 

Write a poem for contest Rhythm & Rhyme's ~ Funk & the Family Stone ... remembering Sly 7-6-25 - IntimidusRex

Prompt 1 ' Everyday People ' ( 311 words ) © 2 hours ago    

 Like (2) 

 

Likes: Iff Ur Abs, Good-Sy

Author's Note

Go for it ..

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi TOM
There are some kind, caring people in this world and there are some who will take advantage of you, no matter what...all of your stories are based on kindness to others, compassion to others, not the kind of person that will cheat you time and time again... by the way I liked all of your examples.... very well done Tom!!!
Warmly, B

[Tom]

Thank you Betty, you nailed it, your review, equivalent, even surpasses the poet/painter Rossetti

[Betty Hermelee]

T''s my pleasure Tom
Warmly, B

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I remember Sly and the Family Stone. Sly died last year. Sylvester was a musical genius and savant. But like so many, the fast life of fame, drugs and alcohol finally destroyed him. It's so sad because we lose many of our best artists that way. Sly opened for Parliment after his band broke up. They, (Parliment), had a big hit with "Flashlight" I remember from the late seventies. We had a funk band at our junior senior prom who played an impromptu version of James Brown's, "Get Up Off That Thing" and they sang "Get up off of your a*s and dance" and I thought our very conservative principal was going to have a heart attack. (laughing) Everyday People was a great song about unity and alongside Ebony and Ivory by Stevie Wonder was one of the few songs that helped bridge the gap of prejudice and preconceived notions during an era of racial and social unrest in America. I enjoyed the read. F.

[Rosie C]

This is packed full of radiant character.

I was very taken in from the get go, Sinister and complex throughout.

There is some great scenes of imagery in this, very detailed and captivating.

This would have made a strong and interesting introduction to a short story.

I don’t think I’d be able to put the book down. 😉

[Tom]

Thank you for your visit and interesting perspective on this poem, muchly appreciated!

[emmajoygreen]

Your words could carve a gold star on the blackest cloud!.. .. We all live, we all die.. simple truth. What smiles Life are the people who matter - this means those who care about humanity, even in a smile of a morning and a friendly nod good night, Kind gestures can alter someone's Life. Plus, it doesn't cost a penny. That said, I think that what you infer: what goes around, comes around.. then of course, comes; 'Do unto others as.. ' The daisy instead of an orchid from a child' . What brings smiles to a pair of eyes, or - grateful tears to their corners' Giving thought is giving awareness. Giving a touch on a cheek or shoulder can be a comfort. Either way, givers award those who feel nothing - a sense of warmth. Life and the living should be recognised.. somehow, anyhow. You sir, are nudging readers about the givers who need be given something in return - a thank you from heart and mind. Many thanks, sir. Sorry, too much, forgive.

[Tom]

An excellent, concise resume, thanks muchly Emmajoy.green 'Your words could carve a gold star on the blackest cloud '

[emmajoygreen]

If that's all it needs to help people smile, would do it for a life-time.

[Neville]

How terribly well you tell this trilogy plus one tiny tale of a turn of events .. we call it karma where I come from .. enjoyed from one end to t'other Tom n truly tooly .. Neville

[Tom]

Karma indeed Neville, you got it and thanks for your thoughts!

[Lorry]

And what would we do without them? All they ask is for a decent wage to clean up the mess others make of themselves and sometimes, just sometimes life's roller-coaster can give an improbable hand to those deserving of it and at the very least make you believe in karma at least, if not a higher power.
Perhaps a lesson some of us could learn from. Of course not me as I am already prefect!
😃

[Tom]

Indeed my friend your review so perfectly sums up the ethos of my poem, thank you Lorry!