Home » Poems » Janice Canerdy » Homeless

Notes About The Poem

“There but for the grace of God go I.”

Allegedly from a mid-sixteenth-century statement by John Bradford, "There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford," in reference to a group of prisoners being led to execution.

A paraphrase from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:8–10, which states, "Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am...".

Homeless

How must it feel to carry all you own
in one old shopping cart or your back,
to trudge through alleys weary to the bone,
to crave the food and shelter that you lack,
to long to leave the street life you eschew?  

But for the grace of God, we’d be there too.


picture 4

September 30, 2019, entered in Joseph May's Make It Six Contest

povertyrhyme

♡Like0

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

Joseph May

October 3, 2019 at 8:14 PM

A touching verse Janice, Congrats on your win

Janice Canerdy

October 4, 2019 at 1:51 PM

THANK YOU, Joseph! And thanks for sponsoring. Janice

Richard Lamoureux

October 1, 2019 at 6:52 AM

I found this piece moving. I volunteer as a Barber at our local mission and have come to know our local street people. I have met many lovely souls.

Janice Canerdy

October 4, 2019 at 1:53 PM

Richard, I'm so glad to know the poem touched you. Your comment touched me. Janice

Darlene De Beaulieu

September 30, 2019 at 1:38 PM

Hello Janice Canerdy, yhe homeless have a rough life I have spoken to homelessHave a nice day my friend. women many times...

Janice Canerdy

September 30, 2019 at 3:04 PM

Thanks so much, Darlene. Janice

Regina Mcintosh

September 30, 2019 at 8:53 AM

I feel for the homeless indeed... Like you said, but for the grace of God, go I... Such a true statement. They are forever in my prayers and I love what you did with your entry. Bless you

Janice Canerdy

September 30, 2019 at 11:48 AM

I LOVE this comment, Regina! Janice