thoughts on world homeless day (October 10)

"I Was Homeless Once"

I was homeless once-
not metaphor, but pavement,
the night’s breath stiff with diesel,
a borrowed coat that never quite closed.
The city’s lights were not for me,
they glittered for windows I could not enter,
for tables where bread was broken
without my name.

I learned the grammar of benches,
the syntax of doorways,
the long pause of hunger
that makes even silence ache.
And still, the body endures�"
it finds a corner,
it waits for dawn,
it bargains with cold.

But there is another exile-
homeless in a palace without you.
Marble floors echo louder than alleys,
chandeliers mock with their excess of light.
Every room is furnished,
yet emptier than a street at 3 a.m.
The bed is wide,
but no voice answers the turning.

This homelessness of heart
is less spoken of,
yet more corrosive:
to be roofed, clothed, fed-
and still unsheltered.

I was homeless once,
and I survived.
But I would not wish
the palace-emptiness on anyone.
Better the cold stone
than the warm room
where no one waits.










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Reviews

[Neville]

I spend a lot of time working both with and for people who for one reason or another are required to endure the pain and many perils of homelessness .. and I know that you have pretty much hit the nail on its proverbial head here my friend .. Indeed I know for a fact because not only do I have a real thing for good poetry, but I too was street homeless many long cold moons ago .. Neville

[redd Brick Keshner]

It is a strange place to be, socially and mentally. And that part of me lurks somewhere inside still. I imagine it to be somewhat similar to being and orphan like Oliver Twist in some manner. But I shall have to do some more thinking on that. Perhaps even write about it one day. Thanks Neville.
RBK🕊️🙏

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

The lead up was masterful as was the imagery. Unfortunately, I have walked each of these paths. I've "bargained with the cold." I've lived in a house where our hearts stopped calling home. Maybe we were just two vagabonds holding sticks with our knapsacks, politely occupying the same rail car till we found our respective stops. Excellent write, I look forward to reading more of your work.

[emmajoygreen]

I've not been homeless but have crammed onto bare floors whilst renovating a two hundred year old plus cottage for almost three years.. There was something tragic about the way it had stood empty for years, so cold, apparently unwanted. There wasn't a room to recognise as having four walls, the roof had so many holes it leaked a would be stream. Within those points, I felt oddly discontent because the small house had become a coreless shape. Comforted by repair, I truly, truly realised that if a human being could turn emptiness into the full flurry of life: how spiritless can a once a home feel as would its once owner. To add, but of course doesn't compare -' once slept overnight on a beach and woke to find self surrounded by happy beings wearing next to nothing whilst i was fully clothed. I wasn't smiling, I wasn't happy, was bewildered by feeling so different and.. alone. To learn even part of a lesson makes for humility and understanding. Perhaps.

Plus, perhaps those with two homes or three could realise that homelessness can be attributed to those who only need one of everything.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Amazing insight here, ejg! There was a cottage once left to ruin that if I had the resources would have dearly loved to restore. I am glad someone did. This would make an excellent poem, your experience with 'your' cottage. 🙏🕊️

[emmajoygreen]

I have to add tha I had birth family and some known local artisans to help at times. They didn't charge but somehow I fed them on a camping, Eventually it became my little palace and the land about became a herb farm, officially pure and wonderful. Clearing it without ruining it took over a year and that I did with hired this and that or buddy hard work!

[emmajoygreen]

So very sorry, typed far too quickly up ^, hope youd get the gist of what I typed.

[John the Baptist]

Very insightful look at homelessness here. We see the most evident kind, but the unseen can be even more devastating.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Thanks, John. Having experienced both has been quite an enlightening journey. In the end it seems we are at home with those that choose to take us in. Also, something we can pass forward and onward. 🙏🕊️

[Chris Shaw]

Deeply felt Freds. The homeless heart is not just for the poor. You can have all the wealth under the sun and it will still keep you a beggar of the heart. A very meaningful poem, not just about street life. Final stanza sums up perfectly. Have a great weekend.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Thank you so much, Chris. At home for a while, nursing a swollen limb. A bit of time to catch up with "correspondence."
Freds.🕊️🙏

[Chris Shaw]

You take care of yourself Freds. All best wishes from across the pond.