Homeless

I work in retail.  This Tanka sequence was written while I was having trouble with a particular individual:


Homeless and dirty,
Aggressive and obnoxious,
Sometimes even worse,
Though he severely tries my patience,
I let him ramble till he's finished.

Homeless and dirty,
He has a few companions,
Some are young, some old,
On mild California nights
They sleep in deserted parks.

Homeless and dirty,
He often smells of vomit,
Sometimes even worse.
What curse brought him to this awful fate.
There but for the grace of God go I.

Homeless and dirty,
Brain damaged by drugs and drink,
He constantly stinks.
Will an angel descend one clear night
And bathe him in celestial light?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Austin Avatar
August 28, 2012 at 1:06 PM
Love this one, Jim. There are some that are not homeless that stink much worse. daver
A   Avatar
August 26, 2012 at 7:52 PM
JIM, congratulations with your featured poem of the week. :-) Always~PD
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
August 1, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Unless we've walked that mile....I've never gotten used to it but they are somebody's child and you got to wonder how they got there. Good write. Vince
Burton Avatar
July 31, 2008 at 10:50 PM
wow that was deep and reminds me of problem with bottle.I enjoyed it alot
Jordan Avatar
July 31, 2008 at 10:12 PM
I have often wondered about the plight of some people - Often times I wonder why the Lord chose to bless me - I guess I always will - God Bless
Richards Avatar
July 31, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Wow....this piece is sad, but moving. There are so many like him wandering our country. I often try to remember that once they were newborn babes, fresh to face the world. What has happened to come to such a fate? We need so many angels! Awesome poem, in spite of the tragedy it describes. Sincerely, Carrie
Degenhardt Avatar
July 31, 2008 at 7:19 AM
This unfortunately happens to so many people. Some things are just unavoidable and so prevalent today. Your words paint a clear picture of him, while keping true to form. May thatangel descend. Michael
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