Life is a series of pains and pleasures.
Some have it all without trying,
While others fight for the bare necessities,
And as I sit here
With a pen in one hand and a sign in the other,
I question the reality of human kindness.
They glance at the writing,
And shake their head.
Most choose not to see it,
As if I’m not worthy of recognition.
And a few simply laugh,
Not seeming to remember—or even care—
That I am one of them:
A human with basic needs,
Desperate for warmth
And a bite to eat.
Unlike them,
I carry my world on my backpack.
I smile once in a while
To remind myself that it could be worse.
The cold will fade,
The hunger will be sated,
But the memories will not be forgotten,
And nothing can conquer the power
Of a true friendship.
This is the life that was placed before me.
Nothing is permanent—
Fate will smile on me one day.
Until then, I’ll stand on street corners,
Making my daily bread.
Soon, I’ll be employed,
And try to find a more permanent residence.
There is no knowing what the future holds,
So I live each moment in the present.
Nine more dollars will buy me a night
In a warm bed, and an additional five
Will buy me dinner.
I try to remember that when you have it all,
It’s easy to judge those who don’t,
And so I feel no dislike towards those
Who do not help,
For they hold the world in their hands,
Oblivious to hard work and humility.
So take heed to these words:
The renditions of a homeless man.~
written 15 February 2007
I wrote this as I was standing on the street corner with a sign.
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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Superb Plus +
A very fine write, indeed. You have expressed your thoughts quite well. Thanks for sharing this one with us. It also reminds me of my own series on Homelessness. -
i dont feel sorry for you....im happy :]
happy why???
...because the world revolves in a struggle between freedom and restriction but consider this beautiful work you have created and you see your liberation, dont deem this as pity, enjoy it, for if the whole world could live like this then maybe we'd all be happier......
confused???
probably...i am sorry for my ranting but i was just in the middle of an essay on justice and then reading your poem inspired me a whole lot more so......
good job! loved it alot, and thanks
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Fabulous, but sad.
I'm sorry that you had to live like that for so long, darling. I really am. If I could give you what little I have here, I would.
Love you,
Desperation
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Everyone sees the homeless people in the streets with their carts of stuff, and bags of a past life and new findings, although many of us do just as you say and we shake our heads or laugh and turn in a new direction, and we thank our lucky stars it isnt us. Thank you for having the balls to write about it.
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oh wow! I never really thought about how harsh life is to people until I read this. Im real sorry you have to go through all of this. hope things come thru that are good! really...
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