Homeless

A homeless POV

 

 

 

The ground is my mattress

and my roof is the sky,

I wonder how I got here,

I keep asking “why”.

 

But it happened rather easily,

when I think it through;

There are some people you can’t trust,

no matter what they say or do.

 

I had to go to the hospital

for a month or two

and she offered to help, saying,

I’ll pay your rent for you.

 

What a surprise when I came home,

to find that she was gone.

I shouldn’t have trusted the friend of a friend,

of a friend, who was blonde.

 

And so, I lost my home,

my homey little space

and I am so embarrassed,

the color red is on my face.

 

Now that I am homeless,

no one knows my name,

everyone treats me differently,

even though I am the same.

 

No offer of a helping hand,

from people I had helped in the past;

When you are homeless,

you lose your friends so fast.

 

To save money to rent a new place,

I needed somewhere to stay

so I didn't spend all my cash,

but everyone turned me away.

 

It is so awful, not having a home,

nowhere to bathe and to rest.

I didn’t know how to be homeless,

I’ve always had my own nest.

 

Everyday I walk and I walk,

maybe find a park to sit down,

but all the families see me and my stuff

and they all shake their heads and they frown.

 

My money doesn’t last long;

I pay for a motel room if I can;

the other nights are spent

avoiding the cops and evil man.

 

When I’m hungry, I refuse to beg,

after all, I have my pride,

but, oh dear Lord, what I wouldn’t give

to have a friend by my side.

 

People are judgmental,

they wonder how I came to this.

Oh, be careful how you judge me,

the rent or a paycheck is all you have to miss.

 

 

Reviews

[TheHubbleNation]

Hi Barbara, very good read, it gets across really well that homelessness is close and isn't as distant as we can sometimes put it, as is also clear from the number of people on this site alone who can relate to it! I especially find interest in the judgement that you were faced with 'everyone treats me differently,
even though I am the same.' This is a sadly very real statement. Great write!

[Barbara Walker]

Thank you!

[Inspiring Writer]

It's a long and a powerful write, your tittle's great and worked here as a main point to a reader to read in this piece. Some stanza's are written in the way seemed like real. Well penned in your own words.
Keep writing.

[Diane Lockard]

Sad state of affairs, but it is a short step down the slippery slope - the rent or a paycheck is all you have to miss... I count my blessings, and feel fortunate where I am today...

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

funny i have a poem called homeless to which made me curious to click urs. I really liked the story line to this is it true? mine is just made up. Very sad story and allot of it so true i love this part.

What a surprise when I came home,
to find that she was gone.
I shouldn’t have trusted the friend of a friend,
of a friend, who was blonde.

The blonde part was classic :P
Anyway i enjoyed reading it keep writing :)

[Barbara Walker]

Thank you for your kind review. Yes, it's a true story or mightmare as i call it.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

ur most welcome. I'm so sorry to here u had to go though that.

[J_Star]

This is so haunting and beautiful, and I like how you played the "There but for the grace of God" card at the end. Nicely done.

[Barbara Walker]

Thank you so much!

[annabellee]

that's such an sad story, it must be awful to live this way, we all, who have a roof over our heads can count ourselfes very lucky...
Great writing :)

[carol burgess romance]

This is so very sad but what I read in the news very true in some areas..homeless soldiers...it just dosn't make sense...very well done

[Barbara Walker]

Thank you for reading.

[Holly Mason]

those that judge are only looking blankly at themselves
most folks are not to far from being in this situation...however I am terribly sorry for those that this happens to
friends are difficult as it is but to have them turn their backs -cannot be excused
written with an openness that touches
thank you for sharing

[Barbara Walker]

thank you for reviewing!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I've been homeless, unemployed and broke. My situation was a primary result of doing good for another. But I do not regret it. I did the right thing. And sometimes the results of doing the right thing can be detrimental. Look at the cross. Love is what makes it worth the effort. And I never intend to stop loving. Love has a way of coming back to those who give it freely...that's a beautiful Karma.

[Barbara Walker]

Yes, I know what you mean. I was letting her and her daughter stay with me as they had no place and were saving from her money from the state, so I figured she had incentive to do right by me, while I was gone. I ended up being homeless for 1 1/2 years. It is so very difficult to get back on your feet, especially paying for motel room, but I was frightened on the street, plus cold in winter! This was back in 1997. Thank you for reviewing!

[Coyote Poetry]

Many reasons to be living in the streets. I agree with the purpose of the poem. Don't look down at someone or look away. Kindness can help another. You can learn understanding if we listen and don't judge. A very sad poem. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Barbara Walker]

Thank you!