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Generosity Is A Funny Thing (Free verse) by Edna Sweetlove
I was sitting in the train one sunny afternoon
When a tramp, a beggar, got on board.
He was such a sad, pathetic sight
That my generous heart went out to him
Even as he began his sad little recitation:
âSorry to disturb you nice people
On this lovely summerâs afternoon,
Believe me I wouldnât do this unless I had to,
If I had any other choice, but Iâm trying hard
To get enough money to pay for a bed
And dinner this evening, so I donât have
To sleep on the streets yet another night,
So any spare change would be appreciated,
No matter how small, every little helps.â
Then he hobbled tremblingly along the aisle
And we could see he was a semi-cripple
With sore-covered arms and a pronounced tic,
Hand held out more in hope than serious expectation,
As travellers averted their eyes from his plight.
But I, the lovely Edna, dug ever so deep
Into my Gucci handbag and fished out a note
And, with a kindly flourish, gave him it.
The beggar gawped: it was a fifty
And tears rolled down his grimy cheeks
As he mumbled thanks in pathetic gratitude.
The pompous fat-arse next to me spoke:
âYou must have more money than sense, Madam,
To give fifty pounds to that filthy wastrel!â
And I responded with a smile, âShut your gob, you cunt,
It was a forgery, do you think Iâm as stupid as you look?â
And how the carriage rocked in mirth at my witty prank.
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