Homeless Hungry and Sad

​For some time, I’ve been curious about the homeless.  I write experiential articles and have wanted to live on the street long enough (or short enough) to understand these people better.  Honestly, I’m afraid for my safety is the reason I haven’t done it.  Knowing of this desire, my husband saw this sign on the street and grabbed it for me.  As he walked back to his office, he told the security guard who looked questioningly first at the sign and then at my husband who explained the procurement.  At the end of the day, as he was leaving, my husband was stopped by the guard who had written this poem.  It touched me and I hope it’ll touch you as well.
 
Homeless hungry and sad
Lonely distant with love
Traveling with only the sun
I got down
And never got back up
I left home
And I never seen mom again
I found some cardboard
And I learned how to dance
Real punk
I keep a picture of me
How it was back then
Before all the drugs
Dragged me in
And conditioned me
All over my bones
I left school
And lost all my friends
I know the ABC’s
But I never got to college
To show me
Now I talk to me
Heart for alone tricks
On every street that I walk on
Gain a few cans at a time
Ready to fight
If the wolves
Try to take them
Wearing more of
My mistakes
As I make them
I never got a
Birthday cake
And I still can’t
Shake that feeling
 
Homeless hungry and sad
Lonely distant with love
I got down
And never got back up
I keep a picture of me
How it was back then
--- written by Evan