Homeless

Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
His desolate heart only knows to survive.

He stands on the corners and begs on the street.
A dingy can filled with coins at his feet.

Some people say he is just simply lazy.
Others have said he is brooding or crazy.

I've heard people scream to him - You need to work!
I've seen people throw things and laugh and say - What a jerk!

I shake my head and my eyes swell with tears.
Has this been happening for years?

I tend to picture this man as a child.
Did his Mom or Dad hit him, or just let him run wild?

What gives people the right to stand there and judge?
It could have been them standing knee-deep in sludge.

It may have been alcohol, depression or war.
How can anyone understand why his life went ajar?

I'm not sure either, but still there he stands.
With the shirt on his back and a guitar in his hands.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Ray Choudhury Avatar
July 31, 2021 at 2:57 PM
A touching poem with profound thoughts. BW ~ Mala
Crabtree Avatar
August 2, 2021 at 4:21 PM
Thank you Malabika :)
Kulkarni Avatar
July 31, 2021 at 12:58 PM
What a thoughtful and powerful poem Angela!! I just had come across a quote by J Krishnamurti before I read your poem. I stopped and read that quote a couple times. It says, “A mind that is full of conclusions is a dead mind. A living mind is a free mind, learning, never concluding. How true it is!! Thanks for sharing your poem!!
Crabtree Avatar
August 2, 2021 at 4:20 PM
Thank you Smita :)
Callus Avatar
January 6, 2021 at 2:07 PM
A very expressive poem, Angela. Like you I hate it when people jump to conclusions and pass hasty judgements. ~ Regards // paul
Crabtree Avatar
January 10, 2021 at 1:33 PM
Thank you, Paul. So many people talk bad about the homeless. Hope you have a great week :)
Riding Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 12:20 PM
Well written, explicit and truthful. I know how you feel. Tim
Crabtree Avatar
October 8, 2020 at 6:03 PM
Thank you, Tim for reading and commenting. It breaks my heart to see some of these people living that way. I know that some of them probably chose that lifestyle. It's the ones that lost everything and have children that really gets to me. Have a great night :)
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