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The Lowest of the Low

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Get Low Contest – Sponsor - Casarah Nance
~awarded 1st place~
07~21~15

Title amended after contest and submitted in Shadow Hamilton's my best poem contest 2

07~21~15

This was written back in 2015 before premier contests were introduced to soup. Although it has been placed in standard contests I feel it is one of my better efforts and worthy of a trophy win

You may see me out on the streets
Lying curled up in a foetal position my sleeping bag in a shop doorway
Trying to get a few hours sleep here in my latest home in cardboard city …
I never stay more than a few nights in one place
can never really settle; these streets aren’t safe

You may see me out on the streets
I’m sitting on the cold damp pavement with an empty coffee cup in my hand 
Hoping for a coin or two so I can have some real food in my aching belly
Still you hurry past, trying to avoid making eye contact…
Believe me, it’s so degrading rummaging in the litter bins like a wild animal
But some days it’s the only way I can get any food to eat

The biting cold and wet weather is my worst enemy
I can never get warm even when the sun shines
This is no life, just a way of surviving another day

Guess you think I’m a waster, a dirty tramp
You walk on by; judge me without knowing what lead me to life on the streets
Bet you think I’m a druggie or an alcoholic
I guess most people seem to think that
They see my filthy clothes, straggly hair and grey beard

Just five years ago I was like many of you
I had a career, a beautiful wife, and two lovely children
Spent many months away from home fighting for my country

But then I got sent to Afghanistan…
I saw scenes no man should ever have to witness
I was traumatised
Forever suffering flashbacks of the faces of those innocent people
The children, oh those  children – made me think of my two boys back at home
I couldn’t cope any more, had a total mental breakdown

I was a broken man … 
My wife could no longer deal with the mood swings , the erratic behaviour
The Army did little to help – 
discharged me on health grounds, then basically abandoned me
Now I’ve lost everything … my wife, family, my dignity

Many of the people you see on the streets are like me …
We all have a story to tell, but no one gives us the time of day
Passers-by avert their eyes and hurry past like we are invisible
Your eyes may tell you one thing… but please don’t judge me
Because you don’t know me

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Eve Roper

Date: 10/16/2020 11:13:00 AM

Back once more to congratulate you win Hugs Eve

Jan Allison
Date: 10/16/2020 11:50:00 AM

thanks Eve it was lovely to showcase an older poem:-) hugs jan xx

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/22/2020 3:38:00 PM

This poems shines bright with the truth Jan. Everyone has a story and it is so unfair to judge those whose misfortune it is to try to survive living on the street. I have given money to many and wish them well. Your story is one of empathy and love Jan. Bravo on your win! A Fave for me! xxoo

Jan Allison
Date: 6/22/2020 4:41:00 PM

Thanks Connie, I am sure these people would rather be living in comfort rather than on the street and their is a sad story why they are living rough - its so easy to judge without knowing the facts:-( hugs jan xx

Aditi Mishra

Date: 6/22/2020 1:42:00 AM

Jan this is so poignant and heartfelt. You have narrated the journey of the man's life so vividly. Congratulations on your win :) God bless you and much love

Jan Allison
Date: 6/22/2020 4:39:00 PM

Thanks Aditi:-) hugs Jan xx

Susan Ashley

Date: 6/21/2020 8:29:00 PM

Your poem possesses such a potent poignancy, Jan. Expressive and so empathetic.. deeply moving. Congratulations on your wonderful win in Chantelle's contest. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Jan Allison
Date: 6/22/2020 4:39:00 PM

thanks Susan:-) hugs Jan xx

John Watt

Date: 6/19/2020 2:04:00 PM

Jan, such an empathetic, compassionate verse on behalf of the broken man. You have painted the picture so well. Congrats on your win, my friend. I'm so happy you were able to visit with your mum this week! Hugs ~ John

John Watt
Date: 6/20/2020 12:36:00 AM

Hooray!

Jan Allison
Date: 6/19/2020 2:33:00 PM

Ive managed 2 visits this week and am booked in for next Tuesday - not everyone is taking advantage of being able to visit and the staff know i used to go almost every day before lockdown was imposed:-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/19/2020 12:55:00 PM

Jan, I too entered an old poem(even older than yours) which I considered one of my best. you and I have lots to choose from by now, we have been here so long. and YOU chose very well with this one for indeed it is one of your very best free verse poems . Congrats on your win, my dear friend.

Jan Allison
Date: 6/19/2020 2:32:00 PM

Thanks Andrea from disliking poetry at school I am amazed how much I love writing!:-) hugs jan xx

Mike Gentile

Date: 8/29/2017 2:24:00 PM

Hi Jan, You expressed my feelings so much more vividly and in detail. This is what I feel. It is a dreadfully sad situation here Thanks xxxooo

Jan Allison
Date: 8/29/2017 5:21:00 PM

I'm going to be performing this poem at an event on the island in September ... we have no people visibly sleeping rough on our streets, but i do see them when we go away from home and I am sure they all have a sad story to tell as to why they are there:-( hugs jan xx

Klio Tsitsikroni

Date: 8/25/2017 6:16:00 AM

WOW. this super awesome. I see so many people in the streets daily. I always help as much as I can. The cities are bursting at the seams with people who need help. Very few do. I have a friend who runs a shelter in London and we help as much as we can. My heart goes out to these people and you wrote an awesome poem Jan well done. Glad I could read it, thank you for telling me about it. Hugs

Jan Allison
Date: 8/25/2017 6:58:00 AM

Your poem touched me so deeply Kilo and hats off to your friend for running a shelter in London - my son lives and works there and the streets are not paved with gold for many people and its often not their fault they have fallen on such hard times:-( hugs jan xx

Annette Martinez

Date: 12/5/2016 4:27:00 PM

This is an awesome poem. I coach a poetry speaking event and was interested in using this poem. Would you give me permission to use it? Also, has it been published in hard copy?

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 4:30:00 PM

It's only been published on soup ... please feel free to use it at your event crediting me as the writer:-) hugs jan xx

Kim Merryman

Date: 8/12/2016 1:24:00 PM

A powerful write, Jan! This really touched my heart. Congrats! Blessings!

Jan Allison
Date: 8/12/2016 6:00:00 PM

Thanks so much Kim:-) hugs Jan xx

Skat A

Date: 8/6/2016 12:48:00 AM

Hi Jan :) Congrats on your awesome win. Stop by my latest blog "Little Me - Guess Who" and celebrate your win. Forever and Ever **SKAT**

Jan Allison
Date: 8/7/2016 2:39:00 PM

Thanks Skat for another great contest:-) hugs Jan xx

Teddy Kimathi

Date: 4/25/2016 7:55:00 AM

A very emotional piece....a reminder that people we see in the streets didn't choose to be there. Well, congrats for your placement in the contest Jan!!! ;-)

Jan Allison
Date: 4/25/2016 8:14:00 AM

Thanks Teddy I agree - they wouldn't want to be there out of choice but out of necessity but often due to circumstances beyond their control:-( hugs Jan xx

Sara Chansarkar

Date: 4/22/2016 9:30:00 AM

Sad and beautiful Jan!

Jan Allison
Date: 4/22/2016 9:32:00 AM

Thanks Sara:-) hugs Jan xx

Charlie Smith

Date: 4/21/2016 2:41:00 PM

There but for fortune...Congratulations for saying what needs to be said.

Jan Allison
Date: 4/21/2016 2:43:00 PM

Thanks Charlie I am sure there are many who can say exactly the same thing but fortunately their lives took a postive turn in the end:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/20/2016 8:45:00 PM

WOW, this is such poignant writing on our broken veterans. How in the world did I never see it before?? I thought i'd been seeing all your work at least in the past year!! Congrats, Jan. A very well deserved win.

Jan Allison
Date: 4/21/2016 2:16:00 AM

Thanks Andrea - maybe people will see that I am not just a writer of humourous poems !!!:-) hugs Jan xx

Brian Mcclain

Date: 4/20/2016 7:24:00 PM

Hi Jan, Congrats on your win with this touching and insightful poem that casts light on the dark shadows where few dare look: The plight of homeless veterans. Bravo! Cheers, Brian

Jan Allison
Date: 4/21/2016 2:15:00 AM

Thanks Brian thankfully we have few homeless on the Island in fact in 20 years I can only remember seeing one visibly homeless person:-) hugs Jan xx

Bl Devnath

Date: 4/20/2016 12:42:00 PM

Congrats on your great win with this beautiful poem. Loved always my lovely friend, bl

Jan Allison
Date: 4/21/2016 2:14:00 AM

Thanks so much BL:-):-) hugs Jan xx

Beautiful Scars

Date: 4/20/2016 11:55:00 AM

Jan, wonderful poem lady! :) congrats on your top placement in the contest! :)-luloo

Jan Allison
Date: 4/21/2016 2:14:00 AM

Thanks LuLoo:-) hugs Jan xx

Daniel Turner

Date: 2/6/2016 5:35:00 PM

After reading your poem, now I feel inadequate with my paltry submission. There is a word for averting the eyes, it's called microaggression. I learned that big word in psychology in college. Really enjoyed the read. Thanks for directing me here.

Jan Allison
Date: 2/6/2016 5:42:00 PM

It's a pure fiction write on my behalf Daniel -just written for a contest but I was so pleased with the end result. We have few if any homeless on our little Island but when we travel and I see people on the street I wonder what their story really is. Your poem is powerfully penned Daniel and we need to keep raising awareness to the plight of these poor people:-) hugs jan xx

Skat A

Date: 11/14/2015 9:03:00 AM

Jan :) Congratulations on having your poem featured on the soups Home Page. ~SKAT LOVE~

Jan Allison
Date: 11/14/2015 9:10:00 AM

Thanks so much Skat:-) hugs jan xx

Daver Austin

Date: 11/9/2015 10:44:00 AM

Congrats, Jan, on this sad fate so many vets suffer. Love, daver

Jan Allison
Date: 11/9/2015 11:53:00 AM

Thanks Daver it is such a sad situation:-( hugs jan xx

Andrew Crisci

Date: 11/8/2015 11:19:00 AM

Hi, Jan. Congratulations on your poem being featured this week. It's sad to think that a soldier who served his country ended up in such a degrading state. He has nothing left, not even his dignity. Dead children are the flashbacks that haunt him. People should lend him a hand and give him hope. It's such a tragic reality that many soldiers must face alone. You have honored him with your words. Your tribute to him is recognition. Have a terrific Sunday. Hugs, Andrew.

Jan Allison
Date: 11/8/2015 11:25:00 AM

Thanks for the lovely comment Andrew it is a pure fiction write on my behalf but I know these things do happen - I think this is one of the most powerful poems I have written - to get it featured during remembrance week is a real honour:-) hugs jan xx