Homeless

Jared’s father was abusive,
And beat him every day.
The boy escaped his world with drugs,
In time, he lost his way.

By thirty, he was on the streets,
And no one seemed to care.
Passers by would look right through him,
As though he wasn’t there.

They asked police to run him off,
With the rest of his kind;
Believing in the old proverb:
“Out of sight, out of mind.”

And as he roamed from place to place,
Rejection lay in wait.
Save for some good Samaritans,
Who tried to change his fate.

But there was not enough support,
To do what must be done,
To lead this lamb into the light
Emitted by the Son.

And so, one cold, dark winter’s night,
Jared breathed his last breath.
The steps of a police station
Is where he froze to death.

This problem will not go away,
It cannot be ignored.
It won’t be swept under the rug,
Or hidden from the Lord.

As you have done unto others,
Along this road you’ve trod,
Even the least of your brethren,
You have done it to God.

For none are better than the next,
In their Creator’s eyes.
And anyone who disagrees,
Is just clinging to lies.

So when you next avert your gaze,
Away from wayward souls,
Remember how it might have felt,
If God reversed your roles.

For those who were the first on earth,
Will be last evermore.
And all shall reap what they have sown,
When they reach heaven’s door.

Ignore these words, if you so choose,
The Lord gave you that right.
But don’t pretend there is no cause,
If you should face this plight.

The homeless live upon our streets,
And most ignore their plea.
As those who have the means to help,
Pretend they do not see.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 2/27/2011 4:01:00 PM
Awesome poem brother! Nice work.
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Date: 2/27/2011 1:08:00 PM
I usually don't rate but I gotta give you a 7 on this!
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Date: 2/27/2011 12:52:00 PM
Mark, this is so beautiful. U have amazing insight and such a gifted way of expressing it. Ellen
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Date: 2/27/2011 7:42:00 AM
hi! im a recovering addict/alcoholic. luckily i didn't have to sleep on the streets,BUT i chose to hang out there. ive seen your story,time and time again. i have 2yrs sober and i pray every night for the sick and suffering!.................cathy
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