The Reluctant Prostitute.
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
January 19, 2016 1:32pm CST
Late at night she walks the street,
Her body is for rental,
But her children have to eat
So please don't be judgemental.
Her husband was a foul-mouthed drunk,
His beatings she'd endure,
Could not believe how low she'd sunk,
So she walked out the door.
She took her children to her Ma's
She knew they'd be safe there,
And she thanked her lucky stars
That Ma would show them care.
She tried so hard to find some work,
Her mother had no cash,
From any job she would not shirk,
But hopes were always dashed.
She went for jobs both near and far,
She told them that she would
Wash dishes, floors, serve in a bar,
But it was just no good.
She told her ma that she had found
Work in an all-night diner,
She told her lies to make it sound
That there was no job finer.
And so she walks the street at night
Her sorry trade to ply,
She's ever ready to take flight
When the cops come by.
So if you see a girl like her,
Don't think that she's all bad,
Do not condemn, but pity her,
That life should be so sad.
Original poem by jabo, and my own photo.
79 people like this
56 responses
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 16
That is such a nice poem Janet and there by the grace of God go I comes to mind. She was doing it for her kids. Poor thing.
10 people like this
@vandana7 (100220)
• India
7 Aug 16
For starters, she should leave that guy. More help would be forthcoming if she leaves that guy. People tend to sympathize with wives of drunkards. But if she is continuing to live with him, sympathy gets washed out....isn't it indirectly financing that drinking habit? We don't have anything for that...
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 16
@garymarsh6 I was just trying to point out that things aren't always as they seem Gary.
7 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
25 Jan 16
@Gillygirl Thanks Gill, I'm glad that you liked it.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
20 Jan 16
I agree, I say it the same way, we don't sound the 'r' in stars, at least not in the south of England. Maybe they do down in Cornwall, they may have that elusive dialect M.-L writes about.@jaboUK
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad If they used a dialect like that they would likely use it for Ma's as well. I honestly don't see how you could pronounce Ma's in any other way unless you said 'mass'.
3 people like this
@much2say (55512)
• Los Angeles, California
20 Jan 16
It's sad, but that certainly happens out there - and they all have their own stories behind it. I suppose it's all a matter of doing what you have to do to survive - but it's sad they feel they have to do "that" in order to live.
3 people like this
@fransmonlot (411)
• United States
19 Jan 16
Very nice poem! I never judge because it could be me!
Besides money looks the same no matter how you get it!
@fransmonlot (411)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@jaboUK I don't judge it's not my job. It's god job! :-)
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan 16
@fransmonlot That's an interesting thought, and I'm glad that you don't judge. 
2 people like this
@ChinaLeon (247)
• Tianjin, China
20 Jan 16
Jabo,every time I read your post, I can learn some new things. Not only some new words, but also some attitude, yeah, the kind-hearted attitude to the world. If all the people in the world like you with this kind of attitude, there is no war forever.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 16
@ChinaLeon That's it Leon - if everyone showed compassion to those less fortunate than themselves the world would be a nicer place.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
22 Jan 16
Your right, not all of them are bad. Some do have children at home they need to feed and that is all they can do with no education or experience in anything else. I do feel bad for them.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
22 Jan 16
@LovingMyBabies I'm glad that you are able to feel compassion for them, who knows their circumstances?
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
23 Jan 16
@LovingMyBabies All I can say to that is - well done.
2 people like this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
23 Jan 16
@LovingMyBabies 
That must have been a tough decision to make. But one has to do what one had to do when they had little mouths to feed. Adults could somehow deal with the circumstances. They could cut down on their expenses but it is painful to witness our own kids give up things. It is a horrible feeling.
That must have been a tough decision to make. But one has to do what one had to do when they had little mouths to feed. Adults could somehow deal with the circumstances. They could cut down on their expenses but it is painful to witness our own kids give up things. It is a horrible feeling.1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 Jan 16
I remember this one, it is one of your best. I am not even going to try a limerick because you have told her story so completely.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
21 Jan 16
@jaboUK Oh I know it isn't wrong to use it here, I wasn't implying that. I was just trying to let you know I liked it enough to remember it. All of the B site stuff is in the air now I believe. I am sure I may use some of my better posts as well.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan 16
@BelleStarr Oh I wasn't thinking you were implying anything Isabelle, don't worry. Thanks for remembering it - that's a compliment
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 16
@Drosophila Thank you - I was just trying to make people think a bit, and not be too quick to judge.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
21 Jan 16
@jaboUK reminds me of a rap song "what would you do if someone is at home crying all alone, because he's hungry. And all you could do to feed him was to sleep with a man for a little bit of money... Where's he's daddy now? In and out of the jail cell..so for you it's what you call a good time, for me it's what I call life!"
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
19 Jan 16
Brilliant job.... like you say these woman and girls need our compassion and a helping hand out of the situation ...., whatever the reason behind why they are doing it.....
2 people like this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
20 Jan 16
People do find it very easy to judge those less fortunate than themselves. Most of us like to think we wouldn't sink so low but, until we're actually in that situation, there is no way of knowing how we'd handle it.
Although I suspect I would have to handle it differently. I wouldn't make a penny walking the streets!!!
Another quality offering, if a little darker than usual. But I like that!!
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
20 Jan 16
This is a beautiful poem that tells a very sad story. We must not judge another as we do not know their story. I am convinced that most people would do things that they are not able to imagine themselves doing if their circumstances were different. Always show compassion as we are all children of the universe and the universe is very benign. Blessings.
)
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
19 Jan 16
It's a terrible trap to fall into, but I definitely don't think any woman would choose it as a profession. It's a form of abuse, in a sense ... taking advantage of someone when they're an addict or trying to provide for their family. Very sad. Thought-provoking.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
20 Jan 16
very true of the circumstances leading many women to such awful life choices
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
20 Jan 16
@jaboUK often desperation - the high class glamorous call girls are few and far between - most street walkers just have to put up with any drunken brute with money to spare
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 16
@arthurchappell Yes, I'm just trying to show that it's not always their fault - any number of things could have made girls like this take to the streets.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 16
@arthurchappell It must be an awful life, mustn't it?
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
2 Feb 16
That is a sad story but a beautiful poem, we see them every once in a while and today at least in Canada there is help getting off the street and into a safe place plus the education needed to get a good job. If only all could be that lucky.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
2 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate That's great that they are doing something for these girls in your country.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
3 Feb 16
@PainsOnSlate I can understand the difficulty in getting them to consider another sort of life, but at least they know that the option is there.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19912)
• United States
20 Jan 16
That's a great poem, but it's sad too. After reading that book by Annie Lobert, I know now how hard the life is, and sad it is too.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19912)
• United States
20 Jan 16
@jaboUK yes she out of the lifestyle and found Jesus. She now helps others out of that lifestyle.
1 person likes this
@dengcaijun (41)
• China
20 Jan 16
nice poem ! you are a nice man filled with love and sympathy.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Jan 16
@dengcaijun And you are third nice person from China that I've come across lately.
Thanks for liking the poem. (I'm actually a woman, but you aren't the first to make that mistake).
1 person likes this
