Judge Not

I sat upon the park bench watching people pass by
When a certain older lady caught at once my eye
she was aged and weary her life you could see had been tough
her face was sunken and wrinkled she'd known a life of not enough
what had caught my attention were the tears streaming down her face
I wanted to try and comfort her but wasn't sure it was my place
I decided to go to her anyway she seemed so all alone
I doubted the moment I saw her that she even had a home
I approached her slowly and choked out are you okay
she turned and looked at me blankly I didn't know what else to say
We stood there for a moment... nothing between us said
then she spoke softly through tears ..I wish that I was dead
You can not tell by looking she said but I was once beautiful girl
I lived in mansions drove nice cars and was covered in diamonds and pearls
My hair was dyed my nails were done my clothes were very fine
I dined in the best of establishments and drank the rarest wine
I've traveled the world many times I've sat with kings and queens
I lived a life right out of a dream as a woman of means
What happened I asked her curiously... as again she began to cry
my husband heard the melody of deaths sweet lullaby
we were living on stolen money or so it would seem
no life insurance no savings... only terrible schemes
All that we had was taken and I mean I lost it all
now I am an outcast and my friends no longer call
Before I could utter another word she walked on down the street
she walked only a short distance before she turned to look at me
Listen to me carefully, here is lesson to learn
make sure to practice honesty in the things you earn
things are not important, riches come and go
cling to friends and family love everyone you know
I thought that I was better than most I shunned those unlike me
now I have become what I ridiculed but it has made me see
go home now and hug your spouse and hopefully your kids
and I have to tell you that is exactly what I did!
She also taught me no to judge, its a terrible thing to do
I thought her always a pauper...I didn't have a clue...

reply to post by Greenize
I enjoyed this. You have a very good turn of phrase. The old lady's story reminded me of Bessie Smith singing 'Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out.' I was gonna link it, but it's unavailable (this is close). Thanks for posting it

reply to post by Kandinsky


Thank you, I am glad that you like it...it kind of rings true in these uncertain times that we now find ourselves in...thanks again!

That was another very well done one!

Keep it up!