The Beggar

There I was 
A beggar for love 
Not wanting money or food 
Just wanting to be nourished 
With a gentle touch 

As I stood with 
Arms outstretched 
A world of people passed me by 
Afraid of what they saw 
None cared to look my way 

Drowning in despair 
I collapsed to the ground 
And buried my head in my knees 
So I would not have to see 
That for which I was starving 

Still, I persisted 
Kept one hand open 
Wishing that maybe 
Some thoughtful person 
Would yet take pity on me 

While in my mind 
I berated myself 
Told myself hoping was vain 
And heartache was the only thing 
My pleading would ever gain 

Eventually, my hand fell limp 
Begging for a rest from begging 
And so I sat 
An empty shell 
No longer asking for anything 

It was in this state 
You found me 
Head down, I didn’t see you come 
The first I knew of you was when 
You took my hand in yours 

I felt your warmth 
Rush through me 
It lifted my hopes and head 
A saviour had come to take me 
Out of my wretched poverty 

You smiled at me readily 
But I returned it slowly 
Feeling a little uncertain 
It was like my mouth had forgotten 
How to form itself into a smile 

Your eyes, your eyes! 
So full of love they seemed 
I stood, renewed and strengthened 
By the promises 
They appeared to make 

And that is when I saw 
The hardness they held within 
The twist at the edge of your lips 
That is when you broke into a laugh 
Turned and walked away 

I stared after you 
Tears streaming down my face 
Not knowing what to make of what happened 
Searching my mind for understanding 
Then it dawned on me 

You had not come to save me at all 
But to rob me of my only possession 
To take my last drop of hope 
Leaving me a beggar without hands 
A beggar without the means to beg