But For the Grace of God

Ive been on the street a long time it seems
It wasnt always like this i had my dreams
I envy the normality of the people that look at me and scorn
This isnt a life i choose as they look me all tattered and torn

I used to be a family man who worked and had pride
Its been 5 or 6 years when it started my downward slide
Now i trudge the streets daily cap in hand begging for money
The weekends i loath the city drinkers laughing at me spitting  at me and thinking its 
funny,


Its a paradox though because i was once part of that scene
But divorce and ill health the drinking job gone and so was my dream
So my daily drudge is walking the streets in the hope of a meal
I dont see my children anymore and its a constant pain i feel

The nights are worst when the winters here
Its not just the cold and the rain that i fear
Its the hateful reactions from passers by
Me huddled in a doorway cold and lonely to them i could die

But what hurt me to the core and made my heart so sad
This evening my daughters passed by me looked through me didnt recognise me 
there dad
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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