Homeless

Homeless He shuffles down the sidewalk, pushing his world before him Plastic bags of treasures, societies discarded remnants With him walks a dog of suspect lineage, Tied to his grocery cart with a frayed piece of rope Passers by give wide birth, diverting eyes to avoid his being As if not looking will make him not be there With eyes downcast, he pretends he does not notice Hiding his hurt inside his rumpled clothes He knows that he has all but been forgotten Except by those that provide the gift of food His life reduced to the humility of handouts Hoarded to be shared with his faithful friend At night they disappear into the shadows Retreating to the camps that they call home Surrounded by those that harbor like afflictions Thankful to survive another day He thinks about the days before the bottle And the drugs that lifted him above the stress He pats his dog as she lays down beside him Without judgment, she is willing to accept Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow He will continue on the treadmill of despair Hope is just a word without a meaning As he tries to make it through another day