
I don’t know what was
more impressive
about him
the fact that he
collected trash
in a bag that was
at least three
times bigger than himself
and carried that bag
on his back
or the fact that
it was winter
and he was only
in shorts
and wasn’t cold
That one evening when
he approached me
in the store’s parking lot
he asked if I’d
seen any cans
I reached into my
shopping bag
and gave him one.
A can of beer
He shook his head
at it. “Nah, man, I can’t
take it like this.”
“What d’ you mean?”
I asked
He pointed at
it. “This ain’t trash,
man. It’s a perfectly
fine can
of beer. I only
take trash.”
Something told me that
the time
and the place was not
for arguing or
demanding explanations
You don’t just
ask a man like him to
explain himself. You just
go on with his
view of the world
So I opened the can
and spilled some
beer on the pavement
and crumpled
the can in my hand
a bit
then I pointed it
to him
He smiled
and reached for it. “Thanks,
man. You’re
a good soul. God’s got
you in bright lens. You’re
shining.”
“Thanks,” I said
and we parted ways
I keep candy
wrappers in
my pockets ever since
I just don’t wanna
meet him
again and not be
able to give him what he’s
looking for
I’d be sad if
that happened
But I’ve never met him again
since then
and whenever I ask
about him
people don’t know
what I’m talking about
-BOGDAN DRAGOS
Bogdan Dragos supervises casinos for a gambling company, working twelve-hour shifts locked in a dark office full of TV monitors. There he mostly daydreams and writes poems and stories. He also manages a poetry blog Daydreaming as a profession.

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Reblogged this on Daydreaming as a profession.
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So good…..
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ʕっ• ᴥ • ʔっ Thanks!
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Such a lovely poem. The dialogue between the two men is just that – a conversation between two men, honest
and straightforward. No patronising.
Gwen.
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Thank you, Gwen! ( ๑>ᴗ<๑ )
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You have a way with words and the eyes for the normal things that we miss in our day to day routine.
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Thank you! (◕‿◕)
I dedicate everything to an unhealthy amount of daydreaming :))
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Great Bogdan, sometimes we are part of story and we dont know about it, and lately we write and someone….shining.
If its not Jack Nicholson in Overlook, is it good, sometimes we free monster in us…they shining too, differently, You know about it, for sure! Sorry for my english, still learning,sir.;) Good creative day to You!
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ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ Thank you!
And don’t worry, English is not my first language either. I had qutie the journey learning it :))
Good creative day to you as well, my friend!
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I like how he kept wrappers in his pocket for the man. Little thoughtful things… Great read and write, Bogdan. 😊
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Thank you, Kirsten! (´・ᴗ・`)
Yeah, I guess there is something ‘magical’ about helping others who genuinely need it. You walk down the street for example, and some man dressed in rags asks you for a coin. If you don’t have anything to give him and just walk past, somehow it makes you feel poorer than him…
Weird… ¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯
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You’re welcome.
I know that feeling. Weird and special, like a reminder to always look out for one another. Our hearts can be quite powerful when we listen. 💞
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(・◡・)ノ♡ Exactly!
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This did really feel like a magical story… Great piece, Bogdan.
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(ノ・ω・)ノ Thank you!
I always loved magical realism. I guess this is something of a shot at it :))
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Really liked this, such an interesting scenario.
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Thank you! ヽ(・ω ・。)ノ
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Delightful!
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✩°。⋆(ू˙ヮ˙ ) Glad you liked it, Dawn! Thanks 🙂
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Dragos this is a very special story, a story within a story about genuine love for another human you don’t know. I loved the end and the way people didn’t understand when he would talk about it. The chocolate without the chocolate at the ending was a show stopper. Your work is so different and that is what I love about it. This touched my heart and I needed that today. I think you have an enormous sensitivity about you. You have a kind heart, keep day dreaming for the rest of us and I know Terveen, Editor – of MasticadoresIndia appreciates you and all the other writers that she has found and I feel blessed to share space with the rest of the amazingly insightful and witty published writers she introduces us too. Thank you for this beautiful story this evening. Hugs, Joni
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(๑*◡*๑) Wow, to know that a poem touched someone’s heart is the highest feeling for a writer 🙂
So glad to know that, Joni!
Thank you so much
Big hugs,
Bogdan
˭̡̞(◞⁎˃ᆺ˂)◞ ₎₎=͟͟͞͞
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Bogdan’s humble and beautiful description of human interaction is something I hope each one of us can relate to. ‘Being human’ isn’t just about kindness and appreciation, it’s related to understanding and acceptance. Letting go of what we know and putting ourselves out there so that even a simple gesture can bring joy to another. There are so many individuals who live unseen and unheard their entire lives. Let’s bring them to the forefront if even for a few minutes.
Congratulations Bogdan!
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Thank you, Terveen! (˵╹⌣╹˵)
Often it’s the most ignored souls who have the best stories to tell.
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Brilliant!
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Glad to hear that, Cassa!
Thank you! \( ^o^ )/
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It’s the type of writing I admire. 👍
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(っ╹◡╹)っ
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