He's dirty, he's disgusting
He's pissed on himself
He won't get a job
yet he asks for my money
Alcoholic, lazy fuck
Sleeping on the street
everywhere is hiring
I saw him eating from the trash
He took a bird bath in the library sink
Tracked mud everywhere inside the church
begging for money and biting his toenails
doesn't comb his hair or shave his beard
He smells like shit and doesn't wear shoes
He talks to himself and scares the kids
He falls a lot and has scabs that don't heal
He walks into traffic and steals from the store
He doesn't really bother anyone, well speak to them
He sleeps in a box, covering up with more cardboard
His socks have holes in them, he eats out of discarded to-go containers
He's not wrapped too tight, something is wrong with him
He yells at nothing, talks to the wall
Fuck this, I've got a few bucks
I'm going to grab him something to eat
No money for liquor or beer, a pizza should do
Hey dude, hot pizza?
Tears of joy start running from his face
I'm not sure if it's the pizza or human contact
I sit down and we talk for hours
He's a war vet, he's been depressed
his whole platoon died, everyone, he went through boot camp with
He has very bad PTSD, his family won't talk to him
they just cash his monthly check
he doesn't feel he deserves to live any better than he does
he doesn't drink, he doesn't do drugs
he's not getting the medication he needs or therapy
He relives his brothers in arms dying a few days a week
like it was yesterday and that is why he just screams
I asked him if he was willing to go for a ride
I took him to a hotel, put him in the bath
ordered room service and got him some clothes and shoes
Let him sleep in a bed for the night
before picking him up the next day for the VA
He was scared at first but I told him about my dad
that calmed him down, he even smiled
First time since we met, VA is just ahead
He finally tells me his name is Frank
It's nice to meet you Frank, I said
I dropped him off at the VA
Six months passed before I saw Frank again
He was back on that same corner
Dressed and clean, helping other vets
he'd gotten nine more guys off the street
He takes meds every day, he has a purpose
he's dedicated to helping the homeless
He's a proud veteran, he's honored to have served
All it took was one kind heart
to accept Frank as a human
and he pulled himself up by his bootstraps
didn't forget where he suffered and life was hard
or those who were still there with no hope
the ones who were like him, those who had a chance
Granted you can't fix everyone with a pizza,
hotel room, clothes, and shoes followed by a ride to the VA
but you can treat people like humans and remind them
that they are worth something and life is still an option
You never know someone's situation or past
so one day have a heart and don't just walk past them
Many of them just need to be shown some form of kindness
a little food in their belly, maybe some new socks
The homeless kill themselves 10 to 1 of the nonhomeless
Maybe ten minutes and ten bucks can save a life
maybe you can make your own Frank, be a hero
I once bought a cup of coffee for a homeless man, and he gifted me a USB Pendrive, after asking if I have a computer. I had a computer at that time, and I could use it. I do not remember the capacity of the USB pendrive. Maybe it was 1 GB, but it does not really matter. I saw that the person was grateful and happy. Not every homeless man is like this. Many homeless people do not accept foods and drinks. They just look for money. Mostly to buy alcohol.
Yes, I normally always buy them food unless I know them. Sadly I know about 60 of them now where I live. I'd say if money was given 57 would get alcohol.
Sad. But somewhere I understand them. The bitterness of life. I know that a few homeless people have dogs, and their dogs are everything to them. But probably most of them do not have real enjoyment and real love in their life.
There is a guy named Shawn who has a dog Saddi and he sleeps outside because he won't part with the dog. He gets food, and she gets half. It's hot out and he gets water, and she gets the first half.
Yay! 🤗
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Being treated like a human being. Like what we feel and think and have experienced isn't just an inconvenience to others. It does make a difference.
Of course, it does. I live with homeless guys now. They really are just regular guys down on their luck. Many lost their jobs or got divorced and lost everything. I never knew the suicide rate was 10/1 for the homeless until last night when I wrote the poem. Sad really.
It's a great piece, so sad with a happy ending. It reminds me of an encounter I once had with a homeless man. Never would you know they got a great personality if you don't go closer. Showing love really goes a long way on their lives and put smiles on their faces.
Thanks for this amazing poetry.
You are 100% correct. I'm currently homeless and though I'm not struggling a lot of the guys who stay at the same shelter are, a lot. I do my best to help them where I can with small donations, prayers, devotions, food, clothes and personal one on one prayers.