Poverty has a way of getting you down
People are unkind when you don't have a job
Its as though you're cryin inside and can't really sob
You feel so guilty and dont know which way to turn
There's work out there if you want, they keep tellin yah still
But first you must humiliate yourself, make yourself ill
The worry and sickness catch up with you and get you way down
Everyone disapproves and tells you its so easy
But the dole ques getting longer and things are much harder
The cupboards are barer and there's no food in the larder
Your children are screaming but what can you do
Crime becomes an attraction but you know that's wrong
O help me, please help me says a little voice inside
But all of your enthusiasm has lay down and died
Your Doctor says your burnin the candle at both ends
But they accuse you of doin nothin for the truth many bend
What is left out there for a truly honest man
When those you respect don't lend a hand
Suicide beckons you to come to her arms
But you resist tryin to tell her you cant stand her charms
Charities help but there's little even they can do
For the next piece of success is really up to you
Societies selfish rules have really got the underdog screwed
So you lie down and wait like a dog waiting for change
Life is so short and its really a pain
When every-things going wrong and No One can help
then they throw you away out into the street
There's plenty more out there who are willing to beg and slave
The drudge becomes so boring and you've never been brave
You finally break and just rant and rave
Author notes
Write from the angle of a homeless person having to beg
A contest entry
- NO CLICHE ! YES PREWRITES ! by Anu-Nataraj.
400 points, ended November 28, 2008, 18 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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Wow....just wow
I am touched and almost brought to tears when reading this....I love it...please do not take my short comment as a bad thing..I am left speechless
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This is very powerful, it brings across beautifully how you must feel, and the situation that a homeless person ended up in, many don't even think of how or why the person is on the street. It brings out some powerful imagery
Well done.
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Oh yes the discrimination against the poor, been a victim of that myself. You have expressed it very well here, the emotions, thoughts and feelings. I'm sorry that you have or are going through this. I hope things look up for you.
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Thank you for bringing attention to another form of discrimination that some people may not think about. I have come from a "poor" family and I know what this is like.
I am sorry you are going through or have gone through this. Your words are a brilliant illumination on the topic.
Thanks for entering my contests.
Lauren
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You never know it's going to hit do you, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. Raw and true expression here.
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i liked it
good luck and thank u for ur entr -
I'm not sure how I feel about this piece. I LOVED how it began because god knows I can relate especially to the line "Poverty has a way of getting you down." Money runs my life. But I felt like it progressed very quickly then ended abrubtly. I suppose that is how alot of circumstances in life are. Interesting and well written
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So painful to read, I guess because it is so well-written, with very accurate images of poverty and the trap so many people are in -- the breakdown to madness is easily seen... thought-provoking. I look forward to more!
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hard times...and everyone says it still has to worsen a lot before it can get any better.
im sure you just made this up but if you look around, it can be real, creepy feeling.. -
You have my empathy. Very well written; imagery; rhythm and rhyme are just fine. This poem reminded me of my series on Homelessness. Here's a link to my list of those poems:
http://allpoetry.com/list/57521-Homelessness
Here's a link for something a little more upbeat, which I also wrote: Faith
http://allpoetry.com/poem/2315786
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