Simple

She forages freely, 
no conscience at all; 
pain stabs at her gut 
like a knife keenly sharpened. 

Picking through garbage cans, 
fish-stix and foie-gras, 
the deep pangs of hunger, 
the depths of despair. 

Alone in the city she's 
wasted and care-worn, 
someone should notice, 
loose change would be nice.

Simple's her name, 
and her disposition, 
she's lost all her spirit 
panhandling for handouts.

An urchin with no dreams 
and people that don't care, 
she's wretched and feeble, 
just curl up and sleep now.

Garbagemen find her, 
she's yielded to fate;
medics are summoned, 
they're simply too late.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Winter Avatar
December 21, 2008 at 6:01 AM
Keith, this leaves me with such a helpless, wretched feeling, knowing it's sad truth in our reality of this day and age. A powerful write and a reminder it is up to us to care. If only more did. Very sad. Love, shar
Reynolds Avatar
December 21, 2008 at 3:17 AM
Another chilling write, Keith. Sadly, there are so many who go daily without any of the things most take for granted every single day; a smile, a touch, food, clothing...it is heartbreaking. lovely tribute, Kristin
Fawcett Avatar
December 21, 2008 at 2:12 AM
Such a sad, honest and touchingly written poem on the plight of the homeless and society's ignored. Best, Nigel
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