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Beacon Street Blues

What sort of homeless person would I be
Would I cart all these books everywhere with me
Would I scream and shout to keep the world at bay
Or would I nod and smile by my tin cup each day
Would I dress real well, try to look like a swell
Or would I let myself go, not put on a show
Would I turn to drugs or would I stick with booze
What would I have to lose
Would I rant and rave about equality
And how you look right through me
Or would I understand -
you need to keep what you’ve got
You don’t want to land in this spot
Would I have any hope, would there be any rope
Gone are the jobs that kept the unlucky on track
Now the squirrels are on crack, the humans on smack
The armpit of L.A. gets hairier by the day

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Benjamin Bartley

Date: 4/1/2025 12:54:00 PM

That was the best smelly poem I've read in a while. Thanks for sharing!

Kgosietsile Dintlhoane

Date: 11/18/2024 12:40:00 AM

thank You! for this poem Sharon, it really dug deep in me, some painful memories i never wanted to revisit, well written, well done

William Cason

Date: 9/16/2020 5:37:00 AM

So true, it hits home pas and sometimes at presence. Awesome

Susan Woodrow

Date: 9/9/2020 3:45:00 PM

I did go through a short period of homelessness...my vehicle was all I had for storage and I downsized like I could not believe...books were a luxury I had to let go..the relief of lightness though has been with me ever since... :)

Sharon Keely
Date: 9/10/2020 8:10:00 AM

Glad that ordeal was short. I've moved a lot, jettisoning everything each time, it is freeing. I always find the books hardest to let go off.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 8/28/2020 1:04:00 PM

Well done; so sincere and heartfelt my friend.

Sharon Keely
Date: 8/29/2020 7:52:00 AM

Thanks Caren!

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 8/23/2020 3:36:00 AM

Heartfelt and poignant. Well done. Kind wishes, Kai

Sharon Keely
Date: 8/23/2020 7:11:00 PM

Thanks Kai!

Franci Hoffman

Date: 8/21/2020 10:40:00 AM

Excellent reflection on the dark side of life. So apt for today.

Sharon Keely
Date: 8/23/2020 7:11:00 PM

Thanks Franci!

Greg Hladky

Date: 8/19/2020 2:16:00 PM

This poem really resonated with me, having grown up in L.A. and helped at a food bank downtown. It's well written and relevant more than ever, given the current economic crisis, loss of jobs and evictions. I look forward to reading more of your poems. - Greg

Sharon Keely
Date: 8/20/2020 9:55:00 AM

Thanks Greg; I called it Beacon Street because of the many living in tents there, in San Pedro. I don't like to think how much their numbers will grow when the current eviction moratorium ends.

Paul Callus

Date: 8/19/2020 1:12:00 PM

First poem of yours I'm commenting on, Sharon, though I already made it a point to go through some other poems of yours. I find your style serious and witty all in one. I'm truly impressed. Welcome to Soup! Regards // paul

Sharon Keely
Date: 8/20/2020 9:52:00 AM

Many thanks Paul, I'm very grateful for this Soup community.

Mike Liebenthal

Date: 8/6/2020 12:09:00 AM

Excellent poem. Very well written. It makes the reader see the anguish and despair of homeless life. Good job

Sharon Keely
Date: 8/7/2020 6:32:00 AM

Thank you Mike!

Mahtab Bangalee

Date: 8/3/2020 12:20:00 AM

Would I have any hope, would there be any rope/Gone are the jobs that kept the unlucky on track/ Now the squirrels are on crack, the humans on smack.......excellent poetic expression

Sharon Keely
Date: 8/3/2020 11:48:00 AM

Thank you Mahtab!