Heidi Sands Poet Free verse

Being Homeless

(Written for the Being Homeless contest)

I am homeless.  Not a criminal, not crazy, not rich.
Emotional pain got the best of me, loved ones turned their backs.
I tried to fly and fell.  I tried to speak and couldn’t find the words.
I tried to overcome the fear and it consumed me.
I tried to succeed and I failed, and failed again.
I was misunderstood, so I ran and I ran.  
My pain got the best of me.  The streets became my home.
Where people are not close, just strangers at a distance.
Now I have very little to lose.  Maybe this is where I need to be.
I don't know how to start over from nothing, not yet anyway.
The pain got the best of me. This pain is worse than the alley.
Maybe, I will gain my courage alone in the night, under the bridge.
Maybe, I will survive enough cold, nasty looks and loneliness,
Strength and faith will return enough for a new beginning.
Maybe one day even a warm loving embrace that is real.
I dream of standing on top of the bridge waving and watching
This way of life float away, down the river, one day, some day.

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Edward Mccall January 11, 2017 at 7:53 AM Hi Heidi, what a powerful piece; having been around the homeless at light of life you captured so well the feeling that the homeless person has. An incredible poem Heidi in it goes. Heidi Sands January 11, 2017 at 10:31 AM Thank you Edward! :)

Joanna Daniel October 25, 2016 at 1:39 AM Powerful, Heidi:) sure deserves to win:) if you want to place in any contest here, you got to remove your name below, Heidi...those are the rules:) hope you win:) Heidi Sands October 25, 2016 at 7:47 AM Jo Daniel. Thank you for taking the time to give me this positive feedback and also the advice. I will now remove my name from the contests I entered. :)

Alexis Y. October 25, 2016 at 12:04 AM Hi Heidi, This piece felt so real. It's as if you let the reader into the mind of a homeless person. We saw through their eyes. The line "Emotional pain got the best of me, loved ones turned their backs." Touched me moved to the point of tears, because family is suppose to be there for one another. Good job. I wish the best of luck in the"Homeless" contest. A BIG seven:-) Alexis Heidi Sands October 25, 2016 at 7:45 AM Alexis, thank you for this important comment. You showed me that I achieved letting the reader into the mind of a homeless person and I was hoping to do that. I appreciate your support :)

Joseph P. DiMino October 24, 2016 at 10:44 PM Wow! Powerful write!! Heidi Sands October 25, 2016 at 7:42 AM Thank you Joe :)

Lewis Raynes October 24, 2016 at 10:31 PM Loved this write Heidi, this is so true on so many levels, loved the ending, took me by surprise, loved it, good luck with the contest, deserves a win. Heidi Sands October 25, 2016 at 7:42 AM Thank you Lewis for taking the time to read it and giving such kind and thorough feedback. :)

Freddie Robinson Jr. October 24, 2016 at 8:14 PM Excellent poem, Heidi!! I feel you on this one. I've been homeless. I know the pain, the loneliness and the hardships. Though I had family I could go live with, I chose that hard existence, until Jesus cast out the demons within. Your poem touched me deeply. I would like to collaborate w/you on a poem, if you wish to do so. My email address is [email protected] Love you always. Heidi Sands October 24, 2016 at 9:11 PM Thank you Freddie. You must have many stories you could tell to reach others in a positive way. It sounds as though you have overcome a lot. I appreciate the offer to collaborate , but I will pass on that. I haven't done that with poetry, only music and right now I am just doing the poetry on my own. Thank you again. God Bless

David Bose October 24, 2016 at 7:41 PM I feel you've described well a poor situation. I love the end, from embrace that is real to standing on a bridge and watching that life float away. Good job, one I think should do well in contest. --Dave Heidi Sands October 24, 2016 at 7:45 PM Thank you Dave. I appreciate your feedback. Have a nice evening.