Floridas Homeless Jailed And Now May Die

they shuffle them in,
quiet and cold, like bodies
stacked in a morgue, breathing
in the scent of rot, sweat, piss,
dreams beaten down to dust.

this is where they house
the lost and the broken,
the ones who drank too much,
who listened too little,
who were loved even less.

no place left but these walls,
and four bunk beds rusted thin,
men muttering to ghosts
no one else can see.

one falls, another seizes,
and the third—she dies.
inside, it's just a shrug.
another takes his place
and to may die.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Tor Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 7:34 PM
James this depict a sorry state of life. I wish our so called government could help these people that are like you and I in a dire situation. It is so sad to see all the help other countries get and our own people are not cared enough for. Your words share a tale of sad reality that can probably be made better if our Leaders focus and help these lost souls. Thanks for sharing this heartfelt piece...
Mclain Avatar
November 14, 2024 at 4:23 AM
And to you Michael I hope that you are doing well and I thank you. James
Jones Avatar
November 13, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Powerful words!
Mclain Avatar
November 14, 2024 at 4:22 AM
Thank you Karen, so very much. I was afraid that these words would not be received very well. James
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace