Pat McLean-Smith “A Conscious Encounter”

The transcript narrates a personal experience with a homeless woman, highlighting the internal conflict and realization of indifference towards her plight. The narrator encounters the woman twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, leading to a moment of reflection on empathy, apathy, and the fear of forgetting the experience.

In what ways does the poem serve as a wake-up call for the speaker?

What emotions does the speaker experience when encountering the homeless woman?

How does the speaker's perception of the homeless woman change throughout the poem?

What does the phrase 'dragging my soul behind her' signify in the context of the poem?

Discuss the significance of the speaker's internal conflict regarding the homeless woman.