Concrete Cave

A poem about homelessness...

This concrete cave

Is my shelter and my prison

The seed from which

-all my fucked up thoughts are risen

 

I lay here in my bed of dirt

Numb to all physical hurt

Stuck in my prison, quizzin’

-God, saying “why did you desert-

-me?

Can’t you see,

-the place I’m forced to sleep?

 

Abandoned

-fallen and stuck landin’

wherever my feet happen to be standing.

Tonight, it’s beneath the bridge of Walters

and I-10

But even homeless I won’t falter

-to attain my daily sin.

 

I can hear the rain patter

-on the concrete above

But my thoughts are scattered

Upon the shattered remains

-of my friend’s windshield,

I broke it with a rock

-that burnt bridge is now sealed

In with the rest of the people

-whose relationships will never be healed

 

Headlights pass,

-vague in the rain, like every soul that won’t last

They all ignore me, just another piece of trash

A stain upon the vast mass of lives that have crashed

And burned

-put out by rains, and drowned in booze

And all the drugs they’ve learned

-to yearn more with each turn

And each passing day.

I can almost hear the drivers say

It’s a good thing I’m perfect, I’d never be that way.

 

Unaware, that life is never fair

They should all beware

Cuz in the blink of an eye it could be them,

-upon which the drivers stare.

 

Lost job, lost lives, lost home.

Lost hope for all the things we have grown

To think we should own.

Cast into the waters, to sink like a stone.

But the truth is, there’s only one thing worth attaining.

That’s friends and love, because when it starts raining

All other things will start fading

And you’ll find yourself empty and waiting

For help from the ones you neglected,

Because you long ago stopped being connected

-choosing greed over love to be infected

So now that you need them, you’re left unprotected

-and rejected.

 

Watching headlights passing,

And stuck asking, “Why God?”

As your left alone in the rain,

Drowning your pain

Cuz you know you don’t deserved to be saved

-From this concrete cave.

Author's Note

This is a poem about homelessness. Inspired by some of my own experiences, as well as the thoughts I had during those times.

Reviews

[Southern Cross]

Sometimes the best climb starts at the bottom. The sense of accomplishment is never fully realized until the struggle is over come. With each step up, you may not be closer to the top but you are farther from the bottom. "I can almost hear the drivers say
It’s a good thing I’m perfect, I’d never be that way." Haunting lines at least for me probably because I have heard these whispers many many times. "that life is never fair
They should all beware
Cuz in the blink of an eye it could be them,
-upon which the drivers stare." Take heed because this too I have seen happen...

[MachinaWriter]

I'm a very fortunate person. I'm lucky that I was able to go through this and lucky that I was able to handle it. Many can't. But, I wouldn't get rid of these moments in my life for anything. I wouldn't be me. I wouldn't want to experience them again, but I'm glad they happened.

[Southern Cross]

I am sure this was a difficult challenge for you .. As it is for anyone found in that situation. Overcoming this has given you insight beyond the norm.

[Damien Davison]

F*****g awesome man, I can fully picture and see myself in that situation. I`m glad to see writers who have lived the struggle, who have felt nothing... Who have felt the anger, depression, the need to survive... Very nice piece.

[Kelsey]

Your work always moves me. You have a way of writing something that really puts the reader in your place, and that's an important trait to have as a writer. I truly miss talking to you and reading your work; I hope to see you more active in the near future. As always, wonderful job, and thank you for sharing.

[Cole Hayley]

Abandoned
-fallen and stuck landin’
wherever my feet happen to be standing.
Tonight, it’s beneath the bridge of Walters
and I-10
But even homeless I won’t falter
-to attain my daily sin.


so original

[Bewitching Sensations]

wow great piece.. you captured the emotions perfectly

[Chance]

Excellent work. Many thoughts have run through my head on this subject but you capture the dispare and what almost feels like contempt. I will be back to read more.
Also thank you for the encouraging words.

[*~*Butterfly Kisses*~*]

I see hundreds of homeless people every day and wonder about their story. Its such a sad thing to see, but rarely anything can be done. A powerful heartwrenching piece. Nicely done.

[Belinda]

"Unaware, that life is never fair

They should all beware

Cuz in the blink of an eye it could be them,

-upon which the drivers stare."

I LOVE these lines. Of which life can turn on them, just like it did for others before them. That they shouldn't be ignorant or arrogant against the hardness of life can bring. This was amazing. I think it might be one of my favorites from you. Cause, really, its realistic. Its not covered in flowers, or rainbows, it talks about life, and how real it can be. And it could always turn that way for anyone, even for me. :/ great read, keep it up!

[de_maruf]

fine

[Apatheia]

This is really good. Very powerful. Thank you so much for putting this out here for people to see.