Warmth Without Wind

A poem from the perspective of a homeless man

Warmth Without Wind

Don’t lie to me I know you have change
You think I’m a drug addict
And because I live on the streets I’m strange
All I want is some food some coffee
Anything to warm me inside
But you cross the street or look away
So my eyes you can avoid and hide

Dismissing me as a drunk an addict
Not a loving father who can’t provide
Left on the streets by my country
And wife leaving my side

I’m a trained killer fifteen years I’ve served
I have no qualifications I was a school leaver
Entering young and part of a herd

My clothes may be dirty I probably do look ill
It’s not because of stereotypical notions
Try sleeping with a constant wind chill

I returned home dishonourable discharge my a*s!
Desertion when my company were slaughtered
Who wouldn’t run if you were the last?

No benefits and no one will hire
Wife doesn’t want to know me
Her brother had taken fire

So now I sit on the streets all alone
Cold every night wanting to go back home
She has a new husband now child as well
When I served my country I landed in hell

So look at us homeless don’t consider us bums
We served our country and protected your young
I’m not saying were all not addicts or deserve to be here
But consider yourself sleeping in the cold and with fear

Passing by students shouting abuse
Suicide a constant appeal
I try my hardest to reduce

But all I crave is a blanket and warm food
Shelters are full and doorways all used
So I am victim to the wind every night
Whilst your cocooned in your blankets
Locked in secure houses out of sight

I’m the veteran
a killer
a bum
I’m the homeless
the forgotten
And I’m not the only one

So spare some change if you have it
that’s all that I ask
Keeping warm and free from starvation
Is my only task  

Author's Note

Something Rarely Focused on and as always they are the subjects which intrigue me but I did used to speak to one homeless man a couple of years ago and he was infact a solidier and he wasn't an addict he didn't ever marry so when he was discharged he was totally alone I always gave spare change if I had it and brought a mcdonalds when I got paid then one day he just wasn't there anymore

please give honest reviews as always

thanks for reading

Reviews

[Stef Outsiders]

When i see a homeless person, all i want to do is exactly that. Give them a home and food, but I can't. I spare money if i can though... I'd worry if you see a homeless person that you've known for a while, suddenly disappear.
Such compassion in your work... love it!

[howlfjdks]

I was homeless for many years and you can survive that way, no doubt. Honestly, many judge people on the streets but no one takes the time to look into why they got there in the first place. Compassionate write!

[northern monkey]

Exceptional rallying cry. Hats off to your talent for writing such engaging work about such difficult subjects.

[Quinn Blackburn]

Compassionate, evocative, thought provoking and truly potent wordcrafting. wonderful encouragement for loving kindness in action. brilliant work, my friend!

[Cherrie Palmer]

if we have no compassion for those truly in need how can we; love our neighbor. If we can explain away a need we can keep our life simple and walk without seeing and love without caring, all the while never living.

[Pebbles]

This is a brilliant write ...you have captured it all so well , its disgusting how the governments send people to fight a war they dont even understand half the time and then just drop all responsibility for them when they return . well done on this :)

[Alvin L. Kathembe]

Don’t lie to me I know you have change

I returned home dishonourable discharge my a*s!
Desertion when my company were slaughtered
Who wouldn’t run if you were the last?

I’m the veteran
a killer
a bum
I’m the homeless
the forgotten
And I’m not the only one

very hard-hitting as usual, you touch the subjects others shun...very striking lines in here as well. Great work again!!

[fernii]

Wow ! That poem was really emotional and I found it so so interesting. Honestly This is a really good poem. It makes me want to go and help people who are homeless but I wouldn't know where to start :)
100/100

[Valentine]

WOW, I have written on this topic as well as in todays society, few jobs, houses lost, people put out onto the street, it has happened to my nephew and thousand of others..a large percentage of our fighting men are on the streets homeless....they need more than our prayers...Great write..Kathie

[Ashley Myers]

we see people all the time begging for money or food and we are so quick to judge. i am guilty too. we think hey go get a job.....and while that may be true most of the time, we forget that there are extenuating circumstances. well written