The Shopping Cart

It was a cart once made for shopping  
Now lost and long forgoten
It was a cart once silver and shiny  
Now old, disgusting and grimy
 
She found it there in an unused lot
It was exactly what she had sought
In it she placed her worldly belongings  
Including her hopes, her dreams, and longings
 
She took it with her wherever she went
Hours organizing it where spent
Not one thing about that cart was inept
She knew every scrap of paper, and were it was kept
There was room for her clothes, she had very few
Far less than anyone knew
A spot for the table scraps she managed to find
Who knew you could live on less than a dime
 
But there in the middle you'll find two old tattered tins
Her most prized possessions where tucked safely within
 
One tin was for the past and things that are no more
With child like eyes, she'd peek in and explore  
For both Joy and Sorrow are contained inside  
Amongst the Polaroids of life, a lock of child's hair did reside
 
The other was for her hopes and dreams
They carried her on, when there seemed to be no means
Even when all the dreams eventually explode and collide  
Hope will still be standing strong by her side
 
Her life as it is now, out here on the streets
Was unexpected, not planned...... the memory repeats
 
A bright sunny day
Soaking up the sun's rays
Both out by their pool
Him sitting at the bar on a stool
But little boys sure do like to giggle
They squirm, and they wiggle
 
Her out stretched fingers grazed his shirt as he fell
Her screams of anguish no one could quail
As she held his limp body pleading for him to open his eyes
Screaming at the heavens..... WHY.... WHY.... WHY
 
Now on this block you can find her every day
Pushing that shopping cart as she limps and she sways
Come bare witness to the sad aftermath
One split second, changed a life's path
 
©Pauline Russell