Very moving. I've seen people like this especially in the big cities around America. It is like they've been thrown away. It is very sad. Some of these people have been devastated by the death of a loved one or by Economics or illness. I think it is shameful that America is reduced to this. Most of the people in these situations didn't ask for the problems that plague them. Unfortunately I see a lot of people who are homeless. Being in Corrections a lot of them resort to petty theft to have a place to stay during the winter.

Yes, I do.

all the time it seems how the eyes can stare this is cool, Randy warm hug, Linda I like the thumbnail too

I think it's both, Randy - expressing your thoughts in a poem... and I know exactly what you're talking about. I think this kind of whatever-we-call-it is a gift. It can be a burden, but many times it helps me understand people and just give them the feeling that I know what they suffer and not just say "I understand you". And, last not least, many times I experience that in moments when I feel someone else's soul the Lord just wants me to pray for that person or reach out a hand and do them good. I love those thoughts you share! Thank you!

I completly understand how you feel. It happens to me all the time. It just means that you are sensitive. I agree with you about it being both a gift and a curse. Sometimes I can feel a person's fear or sadness from a mile away if it is great enough and I double over in pain. One time a little boy walked by my window. I could hear his footsteps crunching through the leaves, but I new that he was silently crying because his father just told him that he wasn't coming home for at least another month. Sure enough, a few minutes later another little boy came by and asked what was wrong. I couldn't hear what they said because they were too far away, but i'm still sure about what it was. It is also a gift because one can feel the joy of others too. Like when I walk into a hospital the joy of a mother seeing her new baby or of family finding out that their child or parent or cousin will be okay helps to take away the feeling of dispare and sickenss. As well as the feelings of connection between family when gathered around during holidays. They are amplified for people like you and I sometimes. It just means that we are connected. However, your words are beautiful and describe the sensation perfectly.

Being an empath myself, happens all the time....lovely words ~

Thanks for sharing Randy, my take on it; if you're human, you're connected as in can relate to other humans in other human situations... Wow, in that thought, it is not a gift or a curse; it is a part of being human. Just about everyone give or take a few people here or there for reasons beyond their own control, have the mental capability to experience what anyone else has or does at any given time. The power of the mind, is awesome, and that thought alone is awesome… I could be on it all day... However, I will spare you and everyone else. "Laughs" Anyhow back on topic, some name it empathy, and I often refer to it as, "the human condition" Which includes many other emotions as well. Not all as pretty as empathy, Anyhow, not to drag this out anymore, but sometimes we can walk past some one, and make no connection what so ever because our mind/thoughts are elsewhere. Therefore, we seem distant or unconnected, but we're not, all this completely natural, all because we are human. Anyway, I love thoughts; sharing them and reading those of others as well... Thoughts are thoughts, they push us forward, advance technology and so and so forth. Thank you for sharing yours and thank you to the other readers for sharing theirs too.