Standing On The Side Of The Road

Carl Edward Helenkamp III and Antona Brent Smith are both Kirkwood residents and creative professionals. He is a photographer and owner of Endless Moments Photograph LLC and she is a writer, poet, and marketing consultant and owner of Tayé Foster Bradshaw Marketing & Communications Group®. They recently collaborated on this post-New Year's Day shot by Carl. Antona writes as Tayé Foster Bradshaw.

Text of Poem:

I am standing here on the side of the road - 
Trying desperately not to be seen
It is the middle of your busy day
You do not notice me with your latte
Guarding against the cold wind-
Frozen inside outside walking here and there
No mansion or house to put my belongings, no one to care-
I am standing here on the side of the road-
Not the trash you just tossed away
That latte and uneaten muffin, my only meal today
Standing here, shivering in the city alone
No one to shelter and love me in the biting cold
You are busy, I know, but see me please
Life is not pleasurable or one of simple ease
I once had a home and a family too
Rushed through life, busy like you
Forgotten and discarded in the corner cafe
Wishing for more than your morning latte
My only hope, made it last all day
Trying hard not to be in anyone's way
Standing on the side of the road
It is where I live, where I grow old
Please remember when you rush by
That in my eyes are dreams as I cry-
There is more to me than what you see
If you are not careful, you can be me.