Who AM I?

English: A homeless man in Paris Français : Un...

English: A homelessman in ParisFrançais : Un sans domicile fixe à Paris. Tiếng Việt: Mộtngười đàn ông vô gia cư ở Paris Polski: Bezdomny mężczyzna w Paryżu See

below for more translations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

I sit on the street

with my dirty feet…

my shoes are worn.

My heart is torn.

You give a sigh…

yet, you pass me by…

But I am one of you…

I know  you, I do!

I have no family

except for those who live in the alley.

I sit here by myself, alone

no food, no friend,  no cell phone…

I sit here in my ragged clothes

Do you really think this is what I chose?

Dazed eyes…no longer can I cry

Emptiness looms inside

English: Homeless veteran in New York

English: Homeless veteran in New York (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Day in…Day out

Night in…Night shouts

You sit in your room for ten-

I sit on the curb and pretend.

You throw me a dollar to spend…

But when it will ever end?

“That will help me, that will do.”

You say, “He’ll probably have a drink or two”

How you judge me, what if I do?

Wouldn’t you too?

How do you know I won’t buy a coffee,

while you go on to see your bookie?

I sit on the street…

In utter defeat.

Take me, help me get on my feet again.

Do you have that kind of time to spend?

Would you take me in your home?

Would you give me a place of my own?

English: Source: Joshua Sherurcij

English: Source: Joshua Sherurcij (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just a corner is all I need.

Can you respond to my plea?

All that is, all that could be,

I just can’t find my way, can’t you see?

I once had a home

that I called my own.

I once had friends–

Our time we thought would never end!

Hard luck came upon me

Lost my job, my dignity, all of it, you see.

If fortunes were reversed

You could be the one who thirsts

I am one of you…

floating homeless

floating homeless (Photo credit: nozoomii)

I know you, I do!

Homeless people all the world around!

Homeless people in your town!

English: A homeless man in New York with the A...

English: A homeless man in New York with the American flag in the background. Français : Un homme sans domicile fixe à New York. Un drapeau des États-Unis est visible en arrière plan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Homeless shelters but a few…

Homeless could be me and you…

Homeless in America could it be?

Homeless in the Land of Opportunity?

Homeless man in Tokyo

Homeless man in Tokyo (Photo credit: theeruditefrog)

 

20 thoughts on “Who AM I?

  1. Amazing poetry. Sad subject but one that needs to be written for sure!

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    • Yes, it is so very sad. It seems to me that the homelessness in the USA is increasing each day. Here in Wisconsin–a state once progressive–is steadily going bankrupt. Unfortunately, the powers in charge these days, seem to be caught in the game of scapegoating anyone who actually cares about the individual. Our teachers and public employees have become the poster child for the economic woes of our state–and our children–our future–are the pawns the Governor plays with. In Wisconsin, just this past Thursday, June 20, 2013, the state budget was passed–cutting funds for education and food programs for the elderly. Double-speak is alive and well in politics. Beyond homeless individuals, we now have clusters of homeless FAMILIES in everyone of the major cities in Wisconsin.

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  2. lgyslaine says:

    This problem is unfortunately Worldwide.

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  3. Yes, Gys, it is…and it appears to be growing quite quickly. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by it all!

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  4. cobbies69 says:

    beautiful words and a sad topic, but so well written.. love it Johann.. thank you for the share 😉

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  5. your boundless empathy is in every line

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    • Thank you, Paul. I am a passionate person about important human beings and the environment. At times, I exhaust people. I am happy that you see me in a positive light! Thank you for your understanding–it means so much to me! I am a rather shy person, in fact, but in writing I find my freedom.

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  6. When we were in Paris, there was a homeless man with his two dogs who sat outside the bakery we went to. I did stop to say something – my French is minimal. One day I asked if I could take his picture. He said “yes.” On our last full day, I told him I would be returning to America. I said “au revoir” (good bye) … and when I turned back, I swear I saw him wiping tears from his eyes. He really touched my heart. I told my grandkids that many people do not look at the homeless. It’s like they don’t exist. So that contact, I think, had to mean something. It did for me. I hope that he and his dogs will be OK and good fortune will smile on him.

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  7. I neglected to add, Jane, that your poem touched me deeply … and reminded me of my recent chat with a homeless man.

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  8. Beautifully written. I call them “Shadow People”

    Shadow People

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  9. lisaelskerarvid says:

    Reblogged this on Ta hendene til din kjære – se på dem og hold dem hardt Disse hendene skal du følge, leie og lede. Du skal få føle på varmen fra dem og kjenne en inderlig glede. De skal stryke deg og de skal holde rundt deg – de er ikke skapt for å såre i vrede For du skal ikke alene mer vandre. De skal klemme og kose og aldri klandre De skal skjerme deg for det du ikke selv ser. De skal elske og aldri forakte – bare hjelpe når du ber. Disse hendene skal jobbe for at dere skal få det godt De skal gi – og du skal takke for det du har fått. De skal tvinnes sammen i kjærlighet og være ømme og gode og et tegn på inderlighet Hendene du holder er sterke og unge De skal gjennom mye for din skyld når dagene er tunge De skal stryke og klemme og være gode og fromme De skal ruske i ditt hår og takke når dagen er omme Disse hendene skal følge deg gjennom livet. De skal holde fast ved deg og verne om samlivet De skal være hos deg når alle andre har gått De skal aldri slippe men holde fast og tørke tårer når du har grått. Hendene skal bære din ring med rette Den skal skinne og for alle berette Jeg elsker deg! – kan den bekjenne Det er bare en som har maken til denne En dag er hendene blitt ru og grå Hver fure og rynke forteller om livet som bak dere lå Dere kan minnes den dagen i dag – da et livslangt bånd Ble knyttet Og fra denne dag dere gikk Hånd i hånd. and commented:
    Så vakkert og rørende❤️ Så sant!❤️❤️❤️

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    • Thank you, Lisa, for the reblog. I hope that whoever reads the words, will be moved to do a concrete action to help those among us less fortunate. Love knowing we are kindred spirits! Thank you!
      I translated your words above to the best I could on Google Translate! You have written a beautiful piece! Deep and moving! I am putting the translation below, in hope that others will read it!:
      “Bring your hands to your loved ones – look at them and hold them hard These hands will follow, rent and lead. You will feel the heat from them and know a heartfelt joy. They will strike you and they will stay around you – they are not designed to hurt the wrath: for thou shalt not alone more walking. They will hug and cuddle and never blame They will shield you for what you did not even look. They should love and never despise – only help when you ask. These hands will work for you to get it good and they shall give – and you should thank for what you have received. They must be twisted together in love and be tender and good and a sign of fervor Hands holding is strong and young They must through much for your sake when days are heavy they shall stroking and squeezing and be good and pious They will shake your hair and thank when the day is over, these hands will follow you through life. They should stick to you and cherish cohabitation shall be with you when everyone else has gone They will never admit but stick and wipe tears when you shed. Hands should wear your ring rightly It will shine and for all tell I love you! – Can confess It is only one who has anything like this A day is hands become rough and gray Each furrow and wrinkle tells about life as behind you lay You may remember the day today – when a lifelong ties Got tied And from this day you went hand in hand. and commented:
      So beautiful and rørende❤️ So true! ❤️❤️❤️”

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