Unseen Hearts

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Poetry

Valentine’s Day makes me think about people who are less fortunate. This day that is meant for romance and candy hearts sends my mind to the same place it travels to on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
So, this poem is the result…

Photo by Tina Nord on Pexels.com

Candy hearts say Be Mine
Red roses represent forever
Fancy dinners for two in love
A lifetime of together…

Ahh, the joy…
but my thoughts drift to the old man on Anderson Drive
who wears his gray hair long,
surrounded by treasures divine,
and sits outside his raggedy, faded blue tent
that balances on damaged poles,
an office of esteem used to house the chair
that wobbles beneath his body of bones

and I wonder about the young woman
on Lincoln Avenue
who burrows into a weathered, pea-green bag
on the old bus stop bench –
the scratched enclosure keeps her dry
when raindrops fall on cue,
buses pass by, heading to their next hub
by the curb lies an old shoe

and the poor mutt curled up beside his master,
ribs defined – who doesn’t know
why he only gets crumbs to lick up
from the unwashed hand,
but no leash keeps him bound –
he knows not of despair, but loyalty he comprehends

So, I browse over the valleys of my pondering and wonder,
do your thoughts also drift to defeated souls
where hopelessness betrays faith, where life has taken a toll?
Where is their place on this Valentine’s Day?

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

A collection of poems about nature,
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I wish Love would abound for Everyone during this Valentine’s Week.
You see, as the years pass by, I view this special day not only
for romantic love, but for feeling thankful for all the people
in my life who love me and whom I love with all my heart.

Love and Hugs to you all, Lauren ❤️

94 thoughts on “Unseen Hearts”

    1. Thanks very much, Maggie. I couldn’t help but smile while reading the rest of your comment. We don’t go out on this day. We celebrate our personal special days, and the cost goes up on flowers and roses and everything for Valentine’s Day. It’s ridiculous. And the speed at which retail promotes products, crazy! So I understand how you feel. Thanks again! Hugs ❤️🙏🏻

      Reply

  11. Thank you Lauren, you remind us to expand our celebration of love with those in our society who have been less fortunate, ignored and pushed to the outskirts of society. A beautiful reminder. Hugs, C

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your beautiful words too, Cheryl. Maybe we all need a reminder now and then. Many people don’t experience the love that we do, and it’s just so sad. I think about the homeless in winter, and how I feel cold in the morning. But I can simply turn on the heat; they can’t. How do they survive? Anyway, hugs to you. xoxo

      Reply

  13. Beautiful Lauren. Typically, we breeze over Valentine’s Day since we celebrate it year round. But as you noted, it’s emotional to think about others who are less fortunate. Thanks for your heartfelt words. 💖🙏🏽💞

    Reply

    1. Oh Lauren, thank you! I work at a homeless shelter. It is sad. People tend to forget the less fortunate. What if we all gave, just a little for those on the street?

      Reply

  14. I often have those thoughts about people who have no one at Christmas or on special occasions, but it’s only one day in the year, and perhaps they had someone special in the past, or are destined to find someone special in the future. I keep thinking about that big guy in the movie, The Green Mile, who said, “There’s a lotta hurt in the world, Boss.”

    Reply

  19. This poem is beyond beautiful, and so deeply moving. I’ve written several poems about homelessness (it’s my greatest fear), and your words resonated so strongly with me. When it comes to our less fortunate fellow humans, our hearts should always be open and aware of not only their plight, but also their humanity. We’re all in this together, and for such a short time, and we all need and deserve to be loved and seen. Your poem exposes the worst that our fellow humans can endure, but it also opens the door to the hope that perhaps we can be more loving and compassionate to those we pass on the streets during our daily lives. One small act of kindness can change one person’s world for the better. Imagine what many acts of kindness can accomplish? 

    You’ve got a golden heart, Lauren, and it shines in this poem. Thank you for sharing this with us, my friend. 😊

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Mike, and you said everything that I didn’t fit into this poem. The worse case scenario for others, yet the hope for compassion given to them. If only everyone could offer kindness each day. Like you said, imagine what that would accomplish? I pass by homeless camps often, and sadly, they’re growing. And then in winter, I wonder how the people survive when I can’t wait for the heat to turn on each morning in our house. It’s heartbreaking to say the least.

      You are too kind…my golden heart…well, I am a kind person, but so are you, and I want to believe that there are many golden hearts out there wanting to help too. Hugs to you, dear friend.

      Reply

  20. This beautiful heartfelt rendering of the less fortunate is a Lauren painting in words.

    You have the gift of expressing love for all. I always saw it in your familial poetry, but there was more. There was nature. Now, there is fellow man.

    Yes, I am fortunate, too.

    Happy Valentine’s dear Lauren!

    🌹xo❤️

    PS. Brings to mind the ancient question- Am I my brothers’ keeper?

    Reply

    1. A Lauren painting in words, Wow, Resa, you sure have a way and I love it! 🙂 I know you would relate to the compassion in this poem because you have a giving heart too. But I’m glad you are fortunate just like I am.

      And “Am I my brother’s keeper?” A profound thought…

      Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friend!

      Love and hugs to you! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

      (my emojis on my laptop aren’t working)

      Reply

      1. You sound great, Lauren!
        Happy Valentine’s!
        Lol..emojis! I think we could live without them if they dropped off the face of the internet!

        xoxoxoxoxo H&K

  21. I agree wholeheartedly with you Lauren. And your poem is a great reminder for us all for the ones who are striving through life, whether alone or in difficult situations, in unloved family life or without any family left.

    I remember that in Irlande Ventine’s day was a way to celebrate all kind of love, family, friends…

    It’s important when celebrating love in our own life to remember that some are less fortunate and that we can maybe share a bit of this love with them at some stage. It does not take much sometimes to brighten someone’s day.

    Wishing you a great day 😊 and sending you love from France

    Reply

    1. Hi Marie,

      I’m not surprised that this poem resonated with you because of your compassionate heart. I think as I’ve gotten older, my eyes have opened more to others around me, and we have more homeless around here too. It’s just so sad and I don’t know what the answer is. But it starts with a thought of compassion for those who are struggling in some manner. It could be homelessness, or someone who recently lost a partner or spouse. Unfortunately, there are many sad scenarios. And small act of kindness could truly brighten someone’s day. Sending you lots of hugs and love from California. xoxoxoxo

      Reply

  24. This poem is so full of heart, Lauren. It brought up a welling of tears for those who seem forgotten, not only on Valentine’s Day, but throughout the year. Thank you for the beautifully penned and thoughtful poem that stirs the conscience. Hugs.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your beautiful words, Diana. I can’t help but think of all the people, especially when these joyful holidays are upon us, who are down on their luck. Yep, this poem is from the heart. I appreciate your lovely words. Hugs, my friend. xoxo

      Reply

  25. A beautiful poem expressing the dark side of life. Many of those that you speak of used to have fulfilling and meaningful lives and have come on hard times. It is a sad reality of life and I wish there was a remedy to help and care for them. Hugs! 💕

    Reply

  26. Lauren, this is heart rending. Like some of your other readers, I am drawn to the overwhelming plights of the homeless. Honestly, I have never pictured them as someone’s Valentines. This is a loving reminder that we are no more deserving than they are of the love we hoard.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Steve. I hope you and your sweetheart had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I haven’t had a lot of time for blogging this week, so my apologies on not reading your blogs. But I’ll get to them a little later. 🤗

      Reply

    1. Thanks for your beautiful comment, Carol. IIt seems we have more and more homeless people in our area, and it’s heartbreaking. And so I write…anyway, I haven’t had much time for blogging this week, so sorry for the late reply. I hope all is well with you. 🩷

      Reply

    1. Hi Robbie, thanks for checking in. The last couple of weeks have been better, not pain-free, but not as intense. I started one med for the nerve pain, but I get the epidural on the 26th for the leg pain. I changed the mattress, so that’s helped. A lot has been trial and error. Anyway, I’m hopeful that the epidural will lessen the pain while walking. Sometimes, I feel like I’m 90. 😦 Sorry for the long reply. And thanks for your lovely words about the poem too. ❤️

      Reply

  31. What a sensitive and considerate poem and thoughts, Lauren! Six of the top 25 cities with most of the homeless are in California! Portland, OR has its share with a 51% increase in homelessness from 2020-2023. 650,000 is an overwhelming number of homeless people in the country. It’s hard to imagine people living in thin tents during snowstorms.

    Good to hear you’ll be getting an epidural on the 26th and hope it’ll help you to move around (with care)! ❤

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Miriam, and the stats are so sad, aren’t they? I just can’t imagine how people survive in tents when it’s raining or snowing. Warmth is one thing, but once they get wet, that’s another story. Thanks for your kind words about the treatment. The pain hasn’t been as intense lately, and fingers crossed the treatment helps. Take care. xo

      Reply

  34. It yes, my thoughts go there at every celebration too—thoughts drift to defeated souls
    where hopelessness and life has taken a toll. Oh, if only we could fix things with our thoughts…
    Thanks for sharing. Xo

    Reply

I appreciate your thoughts!