A ratty feast, a smorgasbord

Living life invisible

Is now the norm an' not exception
a homeless man, a doors reception,
an' another in a pop up tent
free living without tax or rent,
with cold blown leaves, discarded snacks
rolled tight into his sleeping back,
these offering to the rodent horde
a ratty feast, a smorgasbord,
of burgers, chips and salad scraps
a welcome break from poisoned traps,
that lure them to their slow death fate
by greed and no regurgitate.

Oh what a life, oh what a shame
for the invisible in this selfish game,
of life that bans, excludes and bars
the many cursed with mental scars...

Merry Xmas folks!

Author's Note

A quickie from nowhere :)

Reviews

[Marie]

A very poignant write so finely inked, dear Gee. Homelessness is rampant everywhere no and it is such an extremely sad situation to find oneself in. I have read that some people who are homeless are so by choice, but I have to wonder who would choose homelessness over living comfortably in a house, especially as one ages. So sad that all they have to eat are bits and pieces and I have to ask myself where is man's humanity in all of this. We have become so selfish, to the extreme and without a thought for those who are less well off than we are. When I was growing up in Ireland in the 1950's, everyone helped those who had less than they had. Everyone was kind and caring, but sadly, that is not the Ireland of today and it is heartbreaking to see all of the tents along the canal in Dublin. The only companions the homeless have are the rats who come for scraps and their presence is makes tragic circumstances more dangerous. The richer society has become, the poorer the poor have gotten, but those who have it to spare, spare no thought for the homeless, dear Gee. You have captured the homeless situation superbly in this gripping poem on a very tragic situation. Thank you for sharing, dear friend...

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant work. Great imagery.

[Gee]

Thank you Thomas

[Zoe Richardson]

Homelessness is such a difficult problem to solve, since so many homeless people are homeless by choice. Like me, they distrust others and are suspicious of those who try to help. Fear keeps them from remaining n one place, or addiction and mental illness keeps them from living within the bounds of society. We feel pity for them, and wonder why they live as they do. But changing their behavior is a thorny and difficult endeavor. I always think 'There but for the grace of God..." when I see these poor souls. Thank you for your expression of mercy.

[Gee]

Hi Zoe, thanks.
We are more and more folk on the streets now, some perhaps through choice but for most this not the case.
Would be good if local.authorities recollections of the many closed shops to accommodate these folk even if only to shelter them at night.
Hope you are enjoying this gluttonous time of the year:)

[Zoe Richardson]

I have embraced the harbingers of seasonal greed with wild abandon, if somewhat subdued appearance. We had to have our house fumigated the week before Christmas and our decorations got buried in the shuffle. I hope you are not a victim of that other season (cold and flu) and are staying safe and well!

[Betty Hermelee]

It’s a terrible fate for these poor souls who live on the streets…..whatever scraps they leave the rats get the rest…. A powerful message here…..
That many homeless have mental issues.,,.very disadvantaged
Warmly, B
Happy Holidays

[Gee]

Thank you Betty.
Hope all is well and you have a great Christmas

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome Gee
Warmly
B.

[John the Baptist]

Well rhymed and hard hitting, Gee. For various reasons many mentally ill people end up homeless. Hopefully few meet the grisly fate you describe here, but that any do is a tragedy.

[Gee]

A tragedy indeef.
Thank you JTB.
Hope you are enjoying the festivities

[Dave Brown]

I have always felt that the very rich, after reaching a level, should have to share at least 50/50 with those sorry souls
Strangely though, quite a number are inclined to this lifestyle
A thoughtful, relevant quicky.

[Gee]

Thanks Dave :)

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Gee, it is pitiful to know so many of our own are homeless on the streets of this country. Many suffering with mental health problems. It reflects shame on government. Houses, we need them and they aren’t being built for a hugely expanding population. And more help for mental health. Your quickie tells it like it is. Hope you and yours are well on the way to finishing your preparations for Christmas. Have a great day.

Chriis

[Gee]

Hi Christine, thank you.
Hope you have a great Christmas with your clan:)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you, and you with yours Gee 🎄🎄🎄

[emmajoygreen]

There's far too much of too little in this country.. (guess anywhere and everywhere). But have noticed that many Christmas card senders have bought from charities. So, not only do folk contribute to them in order for needy folk get a little help, we fund-raise, we put in tins AND pay taxes. Meantime back home in vast buildings with built in seats.. there are- not so far away in parks and other freezing places because there isn't room in hostel, under bridges - or in mangers for a human being to curl up and sleep... that is if he she doesn't die overnight.

You, Gee, NEVER give voice from nowhere: you speak out about what matters to you. You care, sir, you really care. .

'Oh what a life, oh what a shame
for the invisible in this selfish game,
of life that bans, excludes and bars
the many cursed with mental scars...'

Wishing you and your darlings the happiest of days ahead.. memories cherished and many more sweet moments in the 'oven' Be happy for all you have loved, do love and will love

[Gee]

Thank you m'dear.
Hope Santa brings you your wishes and more :)

[FGFRANKLIN]

A poignant and topical write. Things fall from the tree of life and go unrecovered; a baby bird from its nest never learning to fly, the autumn leaf from the tree that once burned bright. People slip through society's cracks and slide further into the abyss, every day, a little more lost, until they vanish completely. L.A. California has a tent city over ten thousand strong, homeless and poverty stricken, addiction riddled and beggar populated called "Skid Row". But the problem is everywhere and growing.

[Gee]

It is a global.problem with the rich getting richer and the rest of society not giving two hoots about anything other than "theirs"
Thank you and merry Christmas sir