Rough Sleeper

Life on the streets of hell

Rough Sleeper

I over think

and then I drink,

falling into the cracks

of each pavement,

my face lost

in empty concrete streets

full of people,

where for me,

everyone

is a dark stranger.

Where every danger

lurks around the corner

into which I crawl.

And the company I keep

simply cheers me on.

 

01/08/17

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I have known drunks. In the Army. Old timers lived for the booze. Maybe to forget? Your poetry real life and many reasons to drink. To forget or to slowly kill yourself. Powerful use of words made the reader think and ponder. Thank you John for the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Cheers Coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

Cheers back to you my friend.

[wordman]

a rough life for many john,you expressed it well

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many thanks Ron.

[Carol Cashes]

"I over think
and then I drink,

"And the company I keep
simply cheers me on."

As a bartender of many years in my 20's and 30's, this was played out night after night....

Very well done.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Carol. I did a bit of bar work myself but also worked with the mentally ill, many of whom have now ended up as street homeless.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and we all go down together...
the sick, and the enablers...
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Jacob and I know this theme is close to your heart. Many thanks.

[boobalajcushion]

I love this. I saw someone comment about homelessness, but although I've never not had somewhere (anywhere) to lie my head, this poem really resonates with me. Thank you for sharing, it's lovely :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much.

[Gee]

The homeless littering the streets, under passes, is an ever growing problem in Milton Keynes that never seems to get addressed. It is sad that so many have so much and these folk, for whatever reason, are left blowing in the wind.
A piece of writing that gets ya thinkin'

Well done

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Gee it is a growing and still as yet hidden and avoided problem. Many are mentally ill.

[Gee]

Nae problem, a pleasure

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Lost in the cracks...lost souls, alcoholic, drug-addicted, mentally ill, impoverished...lost. "Step on a crack-break your mother's back"--a tenement childhood rhyme and we did NOT step on those cracks! The spiral descends...Excellent, dark evocative, pertinent.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Having worked with the mentally ill in London and in Oxford (which has the highest street homeless numbers outside London) I really get this Annette. This is one which reflects the mentality in Oxford:http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Passion8/1030509/. Many thanks.

[Tony Jordan]

Cracks in pavements are so symbolic - especially for kids who knew the old pavers - before tarmac became so ubiquitous. We used to hop over them for fear of the devil coming out through them - I suspect our Scottish cousins had similar 'customs'.
One paycheck from this we all are. Reminiscent of Ralph McTell here John, I thought.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I can live with Ralph McTell Tone. many thanks.

[Tony Jordan]

Vastly underrated lyricist J.
Welcome.

[Lorry]

All the sadder for the ease of how we all conjure that image, beeing so used to seeing it for ourselves.
Excellent piece.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

It is a sad state of affairs and many are people with mental illness. Thanks Lorry.

[AcasualPawn]

Awesome thought process....


Loneliness with only one friend...(drugs etc)
It tastes bitter and astringent....
Wondering what path will it shows...
Happiness or is Loneliness will grow....

[Tony Jordan]

astringent or acerbic? I dont see how anything can taste 'astringent' DP.

[AcasualPawn]

Its bitter sour and has burnig feeling

[AcasualPawn]

*********burning

[Tony Jordan]

My apologies DP.
Go raibh maith agat.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you DP. Ah I see Tony called in. Don't mind the fellow I somehow doubt he likes the Queen let alone her English lol!

[Tony Jordan]

Lmao - John, I have absolutely nothing against the royal family. If she's good enough for Martin McGuinness, she's good enough for me.
lol
Hope you're well my friend :))

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Am pucker old chap, still catching up after Italy and off to Mull next week. Hows you?

[Tony Jordan]

Can't complain John me old china...well I could but who'd listen ...lmao
xDD

Bring your sou'wester with you to Mull - I think we're having a monsoon instead of Summer lol

[AcasualPawn]

Go raibh maith agat????????

Meaning

[Tony Jordan]

means - google is your friend
;)

[AcasualPawn]

Ohhhh.....

[Tony Jordan]

:DDD
...........

[John Alexander McFadyen]

'May you have goodness'.

[Tony Jordan]

and GUINNESS...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeedio!!

[Tony Jordan]

joking aside - the Gaelic literally means 'may good be at you' which is as near to a thank you as Irish gets, I think.