Would You?

Homelessness is not a chosen way of life.

 

If you saw me lying in the street,

Would you walk on by?

If I was hungry with nothing to eat,

Would you feed me?

If I had only rags to wear,

Would you clothe me?

If I believed that no one cared,

Would you reassure me?

If you could walk in my shoes,

Would you?

If my way of life you could choose,

Would you?

I am the homeless person,

Yes, I live in the street,

It’s not my choice to live this way,

No home, and little to eat.

It could easily have been you,

Life is fickle that way,

Please don’t judge the way I live,

You could be me someday.

 

- Annabel Sheila

Reviews

[MIA ST. PAUL]

Its so sad isn't it when we realise how much we have compared to some people. The Homeless are the forgotten ones. How many times have I walked by a man on the street rolling his grocery cart full of all that he owns in the world and looked the other way. Your poem makes me think of how self centered we can be and how much we take for granted.

a very moving and beautiful poem.
thank you for sharing.

:) mia

[Raef C. Boylan]

There's a lot of poetry out there exploring the issue of homelessness, often making the same points as you do here. Your structure and rhythm work well, and the rhetorical refrain addresses the reader directly, asking them to confront whatever prejudices they may have in this area.
I think this is a nice job; certain aspects are put more succinctly than others have done in the past.

Thanks very much for your lovely review earlier - your suggestions were helpful and will link well into topics like bullying, conformity and making new friends. Cheers.