She’s one of the first to leave
Staring up at the bright sky
As though there might be some sign
Perhaps guidance from above
Or if the weather would hold
She had such a fertile mind
She had survived against all odds
Always searching in the streets
Begging when they weren’t looking
And defensive when they were
She had a family once
They would not recognize her now
Other drifters hated her
She hated them back “So there!”
Those needy little bastards
She had known another life
With husband and children too
All gone, gone, gone, good riddance
She was better on her own
A stranger even to herself
Image found at www.tarotcanada.org
This is scary. It can happen to anyone. A change of fortune will not discriminate. Great lines oldegg!
ReplyDeleteHank
how sad
ReplyDeleteA very sad story and there are many who are alone like her.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like she left a bad situation. You know things are tough when this is the best of your options.
ReplyDeleteIve been on that side as a young woman and then as a much older version of myself. I learned that talk is cheap and the many (organizations) who say they help do very little for people down and out. I wrote letter after letter asking for help when I had major medical needs. I shared that I had spent my life founding several organizations to help people in need and provided healthcare (as a nurse) for free - no response except the endless calls from creditors... Our world is a harsh place
ReplyDeleteYou conveyed well the stark look at what it comes down to for some homeless people. Here, I like how you addressed her mode of survival. In the second stanza we get a sense of the power of it within her and in the third and fourth we see what she’s had to resort to mentally to effect it.
ReplyDeleteif this is not what is hell then?..a poignant write...
ReplyDeleteWhat a vivid picture. It's a life I'm happy to stay away from.
ReplyDeleteReality in your words!
ReplyDeleteHow very sad to have had a family once and then end up on the street.
ReplyDeleteThis is very sad, such a harsh existence. I once feared winding up a bag lady - but so far, so good! The difference between having a family who wont let that happen, and not.....
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to preach what seems to be negative to others, but there is so much you can do and achieve when you are single. :D thanks for the nice poem Old Egg.
ReplyDeletea reality, i'm hoping she recovers and finds herself in a better phase
ReplyDeletemuch love...
A hard reality to live every day. Good to call attention to it.
ReplyDeletevery sad. i just we should take care of ourselves from time to time. try to talk if needed...
ReplyDeleteIf you could convince yourself entirely that you were a stranger to yourself i would agree that can keep you surviving..but you always remember and there's always more to lose.. and on that cheery note :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a life you describe. You capture her bitternes and express questions we all have about the homeless. What is their story? Where is the family?
ReplyDeleteVery good write.
Old Egg, would you please email me at wildwoman2@shaw.ca ? Have something to ask you.
ReplyDeleteA tragic tale beautifully told.
ReplyDeleteOh! My comment is not here! I'm glad I came back to reread this marvelous poem about such sad/crazy-making circumstances. Someties the price of independence is too high, right up there with hope. I love in the first verse how she looks up to the sky--checking God or weather--wow! My heart clunked right there. Where is God but in us who don't respond? Such pride and ferocity (So there!) It is never better to be a stranger to oneself, unless one is already gone. Thank you for giving us this day.
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