Homeless lonely helpless

[breathtest]

I wrote this poem immediately after watching the program on bbc 1 about celebrities living the lives of the homeless for a few days - i have forgotten the name of it. Empathy at its finest. The program really moved me, really upset me.



I cry for the homeless
I can't meditate tonight i am too sad
The sadness of the earth the cruelty of human beings
thoughtless cruelty
Hungry, drunk in a desolate corner of the world
Everybody is thoughtless

What dreams for the homeless tonight?
What thoughts upon waking?
no doubt hunger, cold
desultory thoughts in the mind of the bearded wanderer
scraggly unwashed beard
dirty old clothes

I cry for the homeless in my bed
with my full stomach clean sheets
cool breeze in the wintry night
the warm soft touch of friends
to keep me from madness




I once had a conversation with a lonely man who was living on the street, with his sad dog lying beside him barely moving. I spoke to him for awhile and it was the most upsetting conversation i have ever had. He had no friends, his family did not care, he was very thin and unwashed. He was an intelligent man. Why do we not help these people?

[PrinceMyshkin]

I admire your empathy and wish I had some practical suggestions to offer for amending this situation.

[~Sophia~]

There is a haunting elegance in poverty. I've seen it and, I know you have too. Very moving poem Breathtest!

[qimissung]

Your best poem, breathtest. My son has a friend who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His family would not help him. He became homeless. It was horrible. It is horrible. He's in jail now. We tried to help but he did not believe he had a problem. He would not go (or let us take him) to an agency that would provide him with medication. He could be on social security in this country and have an apartment. I think we have a very poor understanding of mental health issues in this country that contributes to the problem of homelessness.

[paperleaves]

Reminds me of "The Subterraneans" by Jack Kerouac. Not really for the meaning, but for the tone of the poem. It's haunting, devastating, yet beautiful...

[PrinceMyshkin]

Your best poem, breathtest. My son has a friend who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. His family would not help him. He became homeless. It was horrible. It is horrible. He's in jail now. We tried to help but he did not believe he had a problem. He would not go (or let us take him) to an agency that would provide him with medication. He could be on social security in this country and have an apartment. I think we have a very poor understanding of mental health issues in this country that contributes to the problem of homelessness.

It's a somewhat remote connection, but your account reminded me of the agonized character of Jack in Marilynne Robinson's Gielead and more especially in Home. Your feeling for your friend's son is, I suspect, of the essence of your goodness of heart.

[breathtest]

Thank you for the compassionate comments everyone.

Paperleaves i am extremely greatful for your comment, i am inspired very much by Jack Kerouac and other beat writers, as i know you are too in your poetry.

[thinkingsam]

Just a small point: lack of proper punctuation normally gets to me because my brain registers it as haphazard grammar, but I think in this piece you quite effectively used (or didn't use) punctuation to convey the flow of thought.

[Pendragon]

One great poem, filled with vivid imagery! :thumbs_up

[Delta40]

you poem reflects your feelings about homelessness.