Homeless Verse~Monday Writing Essential~MWE

You've painted very poignant images with this one, John. And sadly, I think more and more people will be experiencing this.

Thank you, Renda. People speak of "the homeless" as if they're all the same and are homeless for the same reasons. Not true.

have u seen the nest by the Indian weaver bird.In India it is called Baya it looks like the coiled hairs of a n Indian sadhu ur images are very sensitive

I've seen it only of TV specials, Dr. Saxena.

There may come a day when we may see it on TV only.

postman of Autumn

you've captured the spirit of the "fighting" unemployed.

Thank you, d d.

John,
This is so true, you've gotten this exactly right. While it's true that some people aren't able to work, others only want a job, any job, so that they might even be able to get one small room, get out of the cold and get cleaned up and even maybe have a bit to eat. Basic needs, exactly.

Featured in Monday Writing Essentials, MWE,

With Thanks,

This just shouldn't be.

Marilyn

Thank you for your kind comment, Marilyn.

Many, many years ago we found ourselves homeless and had to live in the campground for many months. It was in the cold of winter and those were some of the hardest days of my journey. I think that getting through that caused me to be an obsessive worker and to this day, I can hardly let myself enjoy a light day. Hummmm, I will have to work on that.
John, your poem brought up such memories for me. I know that there are so many in tough times right now. The powerful devastation of being homeless is a hard one to overcome even when you have a roof again.

Oh, Karen, that's hard, but it's also true, when you have a roof over your head again, you don't really ever trust that it'll be there.

Ah, that's another thing we don't have right near by - a campground! Small town, lots of land, more foreclosures.

I can only imagine what you've been through, Karen. Thank you for your comment.

You are quite welcome John. I valued your message so much.

Excellent poem John. I guess we are the only species that can't just make a home without external resources. Any person willing to work should be given a job, a place to live (however humble), and food. As a society, we have the resources to accomplish that, just not the will.

So true, dianne,

As for the disabled and elderly, who cannot work, they ought never to end up on the streets.

Amen. Thank you, Dianne. Thanks again, Marilyn.

John: Thanks for sharing this. It's becoming more & more of a tragedy that could strike almost anyone.

If you haven't, would you please post to: homesforall.gather.com ?

Thank you, Jim. Will do.

Nicolas Cage just lost everything, including all homes, by bad investments. Not "almost anyone" - anyone.

Never thought about it, until we were two weeks from it happening to us. Now, I can think of little else. Can't work. We're at the mercy of politicians and they're messing with Medicare/healthcare this weekend. Like the person in the poem, it does motivate me for more - to do what I am able to do, write a book.

Yes, Lynn, it can happen to anyone.

It surely can. Even our family Dr. who invested in the stock market, said he lost almost all they had (he and his wife) and had two children in college, he also said he'll probably never retire. This is the same Dr. I've had for over 20 years and now go as little as possible due to no insurance.

I do remember going through dumpsters for those bottles just to cash in, not to pay our rent, but to pay "something".

Very good John. Makes us all realize how blessed we are.

Thanks, Richard.

A beautiful tribute to your fellowman John. It shows your caring heart. Yes we need not become heartless in our relationship with others just because they have become less fortunate. It is at these times we are needed to be human in our outlook.

I agree, Barbara. Thank you for your generous comment.

John, you've crawled into a crevice of my heart with this one. Thank you for sharing such grace-given words and thoughts for those less fortunate than they once were - before that fateful day.

Thank you sincerely for your kind comment, Ruthi.

The kindness was yours kind sir, but thou art welcome :-)

A strong statement, John. Especially so, with Christmas soon enough upon us.

At our latitude, cold weather puts additional stress on the homeless and those who care for them. Thanks, Magi.

The homeless were those other folks

And now applies to me.

I’m no less human than I was

The above is so striking and true.

Thank you, vivi.

I wonder what the population of homeless people in the US is today. I am inspired to write a poem, too. Excellent piece, very poignant, John.

Thank you, Jennifer. I doubt that anybody knows, and estimates could be way off. I will be glad to see your poem.

You have given a face to the homeless with your beautiful poem. Most people are happy with the "homeless" stereotype they have been fed....it resolves them of all guilt of being apart of the "halves"...and so they need do nothing about the "have-nots".

Thank you for your kind comment, Elizabeth.

You make me breathe fresh air. Thank you John.

postman of Autumn

Nice thing to say, Kushal. Thank you.

This hits close to home. Way too many people are becoming homeless every day.

I agree, Marge. It's not a new problem, just a much more widespread one.

Great post.

Thank you, Pristina.

Your beginning pleasant images contrasts well with the negative images of your later developed theme. I love the flow that is almost a sing/song melody.

Thank you kindly for the comment, Bill.

I've been homeless when younger. Almost again last year.

Nicely penned.

Thank you, Karl. Nobody should be without a home.

Some places to live aren't really homes, either.

I count my blessings every day. Keeps things in perspective.

That's true, Karl. A small two rooms, with one being unusable due to two separate leaks in the roof that aren't fixed yet and probably won't be, unless we do it ourselves, which we'll have to. Over five months of sleeping on the couch and Mark in a chair is more than enough.

We know where two of the homeless camps are - they always follow the river and since we're such a small population-wise town, we usually know the people too.

We were so sure we'd be in our car, we asked the local police where if anywhere we could park to live in the car and they told us in back of the diner - nobody would bother us - they'd pass the word around, we were all set to go there and the diner went out of business. Then Mark's SSD went through and we ended up here, it's a moldy roof over our head, but better than what those river people have to endure.

Once in awhile while we were volunteering at our small food pantry, they'd get a ride or some of them would from a kind person in town - I'd scour the shelves for whatever they could eat without much if any, preparation. They were embarrassed and at the same time, grateful.

John, Thank you for doing my last prompt as the Monday Writing Essential Editor, it meant a lot to all who did.

Marilyn

Marilyn, thanks for sharing the story.

that was beautiful and so sad it is a sign of our times.

Thank you, Diva.

What a timely reminder John, as one who tends to the homeless this is very touching

My heart is warmed to know that you respond to some of the needs of the homeless. Thank you, Debra.

A wonderful verse inspiring gratitude for what we have
and summoning thought and compassion for those that have not.

Thank you, Curt. I appreciate your comment.

Only reason I didn't burst out crying when I read this was because hubby gets upset when I cry. This was that good! Hit the nail on the head. Thanks.

Thank you for your kind comment, Lynn.

A lovely poignant poem. The steady rhythm works so beautifully for this.

Thank you, Sheila.

That is powerful and so very true

Thank you, Connie.

I love this. Reminds me of a song I wrote: Shelter from the Storm

Thank you, Lydia. I'll check out your song.

Lovely lyrics. Looking for a hug? Here's a cyber hug, Lydia.

Thanks, John. I tried to record this once but I didn't run it through the video editor before posting and the sound separated from the video. I'll try again one of these days... I'd love to have "Playing for Change" pick it up!