Well of Souls

How many souls live on the edge, Between the gutter and the ledge? A hopeless fear crawls in their gut, Each day, another endless rut. The moments pass profoundly slow Sad, bitter winds are all that blow. A man lay huddled near the bin Hoping death will take him in. Frozen tears, on wrinkled cheeks Frostbitten ears, and shoes that leak. His mind forgets the games of tag, Old Crockett's hill, where down they'd slide. A summer rain, the puddles deep Out catchin' toads, to tame and keep. His life began with dimpled cheeks, Red tousled hair, and hide 'n seek. A tough old Dad who tricked and teased A pretty Mom who smiled with ease. They had a farm with fields of hay A few old hogs, and bills to pay. One summer day, the sky turned black. A howling wind brought down their shack. Dad sold the hogs, and cut the hay. The farm was lost, we drove away. The next two years were grim and lean. Dad broke his back, to feed us beans. When winter came our food ran out. We found old Dad hung by a rope. Without poor Dad, no food or fire; Mom took my hand, the day was dire. The Sister's face looked mean and sour. I thought of Mom most every hour. They scrubbed my back until it bled. cut off my hair, then I got fed. 'Twas many years before I left, My Mom had died a tragic death. Now all alone, I lived and slept. I begged for food, and sometimes wept. A life of days and endless woe, Now time is dead, and death too slow. As you walk by those 'homeless freaks' Remember me, with dimpled cheeks.