Life's Losses

When you loose everything that means something.

The cardboard box that shelters him

is covered in frosty snow.

As he breathes in the frigid air

thick fog forms in front of him.

 

He keeps vigil on the trash cans,

hoping someone will throw a morsel

of food away that they  are unable to eat

because their bellys are full.

 

The streets are empty,

except for a few other people talking.

He knows why they are whispering,

sees their stares, the pity in their eyes.

 

Numb fingers grabs hold of an old sign,

which reads, NEEDS FOOD.

He holds the sign up,

hoping a good samaritan will show mercy.

 

All hope was slipping away,

when an older man offers him a sandwhich

and hot coffee.

He wants to thank him,

but bows his head

ashamed of what he has become.

 

As the temperature drops

he snuggles under his tattered blanket.

He dreams of the past when he was successful.

He had a wife, two kids and a dog,

he was resourceful and well respected.

 

Everything that meant something to him was taken

by a drunk driver.

Being so consumed with grief,

he lost his dignity, integrity, sanity.

 

He prays for better days,

but the anger inside is so strong.

He just keeps going deeper and deeper into the

hole he has dug for himself.

There's no way out, no where to go,

except futher down.

 

Each day he holds up his sign.

Some people will help, while others pass him by,

leaving him to drown in his own  self pity.

 

 

Author's Note

Hope it's worth reading!

Reviews

[Goodbye]

Very stirring look at the homeless - most people are those that have suffered horrors we can't conceive of, other's were just hanging on when they lost their jobs, and then everything else. Thank you for this compassionate look at our poorest of fellows...

[JulieNorell]

I really liked this one! It speaks of truth and reality...I know what it feels like to see someone sitting in the cold every night and begging for food. Having to see people bustling around obliviously without a care in the world when they barely have strength to move. Very good job!

[Cafe Reader]

A very good read.

[SpokenWord]

This is the thing about our country and maybe other countries, people just don't care to see people who are homeless. They are invisible and everyone avoids them. I have seen many people who wouldn't even turn their heads to look in a homeless persons direction. No one ever cares as to why or how they got to that place and once in that place they no longer exist.

[HopelesslyDevoted]

ugh! another knife into my heart on this one! struck way too close to home! good writing though, it was worth reading!

[Brad]

definitely worth reading...holidays at my house were always spent with my parents arguing so when i got my liscence i would spend thanksgiving at Sharing Caring Hands homeless shelter and serve soup and sandwiches to those who appreciated company and warm food

[Julie Beth]

its worth reading its sad but you did a great job :)

[Coyote Poetry]

It is a sad story. Many people fall down for many different reasons. You would be amazed how many Vietnam Vets roam around looking for a reason to live. Hard part many homeless desire the separation for their personal reasons. Your story state a story about a poor man who lost everything and need one reason to be alive. A excellent poem.
Coyote

[sarah]

awwww this is so sad this really shows how life can change in an instant

[jazmin]

it was beautiful! i loved, it was hard, but true. Very well written:)