A bus stop Conversation

by Chelsey   Mar 7, 2007


Ever have a day,
Where things didn't go right?
Where you thought the world hated you?
One where you couldn't sleep at night?

But when those thoughts went through your head
You met someone who had it worse than you
They told you a story to change your mind
Your day was changed by someone you never knew

Coming home from work one day
I was just a step away from being fired
I saw a man sitting at the bus stop
Looking pretty old and extremely tired

Now I have always been a Christian girl
And when I saw this old man cry
I asked if there was something I could pray with him about
He said, "I've been praying the Lord let me die."

I was shocked and at a loss for words
"Sir, whatsoever do you mean?"
He replied, "I just lost my son to war
"My little man, my little bean"

I apologized and asked him
"Is there anything you want to get off your chest?"
He turned the other way and said
"It should have been me that was put to rest"

"You see I was involved with drugs for 11 years
I really screwed up my life
I got a girl pregnant at 19-yrs-old
Then later I cheated on my wife"

"I fought in WWII when I was 27
I wanted to grow up and be a man
I missed my son grow up then
While trying to better America's plan"

"My son left a baby girl and wife
He had so many years ahead of him
I keep thinking it should have been me
My life's light should have went dim"

"I should have lost my life on the battlefields
I had nothing to live for, but he did
He had a future job pre-planned for him
He had a gorgeous wife and beautiful kid"

I said, "Do you realize sir, when you were at war
You were in the same situation as he?
Sometimes you won't understand why he died
And yes you'll think it should have been me.

But sir maybe this is the reason why you're here
For this conversation right here and now
I needed you to explain to me
You have it worse and how"

The man said, "I guess your right but my life is worthless
He had such a long road ahead
My son was such a good man
It should have been me that was dead"

I realized I just had a bad day at work
And I get angry and cry and sob
But this old man showed me people have it worse
Then just a bad day at my job

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Latest Comments

  • 17 years ago

    by Boy

    Real feelings also sad a bit.. amazing wriiten gd work take care

  • 17 years ago

    by aDORKable x3

    I was going through the Fun and Humor section, where I came across your link for people having a bad day. This is one of the most, if not THE most amazing poem I have ever read. I was having a really bad day, I mean, I basically felt worthless to my parents and I cut from my softball team, but reading this, well, I was forced back into perspective. There are people who have it so much worse than me, and reading this really helped me. I'm going to print it out and read it when I need some reassurance. Thank You so much for sharing this beautiful piece of work. infinity/5 if I could!

    Ciao

  • 17 years ago

    by Tammie

    This is an amazing poem Chelsey. The story was really unique, and if this is based off something that happened to you, what a story it really is. The moral behind this story is very realistic, and most people should realise it, including myself most of the time. It's good to see such a meaningful poem, I don't see them that much. Not one with such a moral behind it anyway.

    The flow of the poem was really smooth and the rhyming so natural. You have such a great talent. 5/5

    Tammie

  • 17 years ago

    by Cindy

    Your poem really makes one stop and think. This is so true when you think you are at your lowest there is always someone worse off.

    But when those thoughts went through your head
    You met someone who had it worse than you
    They told you a story to change your mind
    Your day was changed by someone you never knew

    I loved this stanza. Excellent job!
    Take Care Cindy

  • 17 years ago

    by KemistryKia

    Very beatiful, you really touched my day and life, that is whats going to make you an excellent poet.

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