Begging Is Just The Beginning
by
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BEGGING IS JUST THE BEGINNING
First you must sit
Indian fashion on the sidewalk or curb.
Do not be disturbed
if occasionally you're asked to move on.
You do not seek trouble.
Seed your cup with coins.
Do not jingle.
Hold your right hand out.
Rest your elbow on your knee when tired.
Pay no heed to clouts.
Ignore both pity and kindness.
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About the Book
BEGGING IS JUST THE BEGINNING
First you must sit
Indian fashion on the sidewalk or curb.
Do not be disturbed
if occasionally you’re asked to move on.
You do not seek trouble.
Seed your cup with small coins.
Do not jingle.
Hold your right hand out.
Rest your elbow on your knee when tired.
Pay no heed to clouts.
Ignore both pity and kindness.
Think yourself a guest.
Eat your fill from what’s left in the cans.
Gather bills like doubt.
Keep the coins in a sock at your belt.
When it’s cold, walk south.
Every day give thanks for the sun.
Let the crisp air talk.
Ponder riddles of everyday speech.
Share with birds. Let stop
your heart and your mind on occasion.
Be the child that once
you were happy to be and were glad.
To advance, accept you are nothing.
In the end, it’s trust
and a giving up and forgiving.
Say good-bye to lust.
Disregard any lingering pain.
About the Author
Mr. Carlson has been writing poetry for 50 years. His aim has been to create poems in which emotions are honest, descriptions accurate, images evocative, and language accessible. Some of his poems are long and dense; others short and spare. They are by turns powerful and delicate, thought provoking and playful, solemn and funny. Sharing his experiences, observations, and thoughts as a son, student, brother, lover, father and friend will call up your own experiences, observations and thoughts. Written aloud, they should be read aloud to be fully enjoyed. The words are to be felt on the tongue.
Born the son of missionaries in