Poetry

Free to let My Beard Grow, a poem by Mark Tulin

 

I may live unsheltered,
not knowing when my next meal
will come;
my shoes may have holes in its soles
and my pride ripped and torn,
but I have no care in the world.
I’m free of convention,
free of the balls and chains
that restrict and bind.

Don’t feel sorry
when you see me pulling a cart
across a busy street
‘cause I’m free to let my beard grow,
free to collect bottles and coins,
free to walk at my own pace
without a clock to control my time.
Nothing’s chasing me.
Nothing’s stopping me 
from exercising my personal liberty.

Unknown's avatar

I am an author, poet, humorist, and short story writer living in Long Beach, California. I write about various topics, from my early childhood in Philadelphia to my years as a family therapist and finally to my soul-searching in California. These are poetic narratives that may have humorous or serious content or both. Either way, I hope my poetry and stories resonate with you. My books include Magical Yogis, Uncommon Love Stories, Awkward Grace, Junkyard Souls, and Rain on Cabrillo.

15 comments on “Free to let My Beard Grow, a poem by Mark Tulin

  1. Anita Kamba stories's avatar
    anitastories

    i envy the man on the street in that way, his freedom of convention

  2. Rosaliene Bacchus's avatar

    Your poem suggests that people are homeless by choice. This may be the case for a few, but by no means the majority.

    • Mark Tulin's avatar

      True, many are homeless by difficult circumstances. Some, however, seem to relish the freedom, although extremely difficult and unhealthy. There was one person in particular that I was thinking when I wrote this poem.

  3. tara caribou's avatar

    Hey, I really like this. Very good, Mark.

  4. Orvillewrong's avatar

    There is a lot to be said for personal freedom!

  5. Orvillewrong's avatar

    Sadly, so very true!

  6. David & Laura Speer's avatar

    Ok, is that you, your beard, lol!

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