My superpower is cardboard

for the Homeless...the Sheltered...the unfortunate

Once Zealous dreamers

shuffle in grim exodus

toting our portable poverty

bottle-necking

at an all too familiar... yet  unsure crossroad

 

Cast out before morning opens a sleepy eye

The low murmur of denial

a harbinger of defeat

rises like a flash flood

reality and freedom snapped-in-two

cutting the air of peace

as the sound of dry twigs snapping

disturbs sleep

the only  rare and brief nirvana we have ever known

 

even ...Jesus had no home

 

 

We were to become ...so much

and do ... So much ...more

 

Let's tuck the shattered shards of our hopes

inside our folded capes

and fail in good company

 

Keep your masks on

remember....

our superpower is cardboard

 

to be invisible

 

Your shame

is my Kryptonite

 

but...

 we ...still see ...you

whose albatross..... Is that ?

 

Knights in shining cardboard

Heros with no home...

Heros with no home ...

 

J. Hampton -3/24/2013

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

One of the most powerful stories I've ever read was Jack London's The People of the Abyss. It dealt with the homeless in turn of the century London's poorest burgs. Here's a link if you're ever in want of inspiration from a master. http://london.sonoma.edu/writings/PeopleOfTheAbyss/

[J. Hampton]

off to read it now thank you much

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I apologize for not offering a review of your work earlier. It was a wonderful piece. I did give it the highest rating. Bless.

[J. Hampton]

Never apologize...I hadn't noticed
I do appreciate that you have and will point out errors and bad flow etc...so many reviewers ...just analyze meaning and say "I love it"...I miss a lot and critiques of all kinds help
btw: I've barely skimmed the tip of the iceberg on "the People of the Abyss"...London rocks...so I will get back to it

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Well, my mind works in different places than the average "normal" person. My dream job has always been to become an editor. I'm certainly qualified but lack the scholastic credentials. Funny how that works eh? You will love that book. Jack is one of my heroes. He was such an amazing human being. He was at different intervals in his life, a hobo, a prize boxer, a lifeguard, a pirate, a cowboy and a sailor who sailed around the world on his sailboat, " The Snark". He was an explorer and a miner who lived in the Klondike during the gold rush, visited the Solomon Islands and lived among the natives, lived in a leper colony in the Polynesian Islands and studied animal husbandry and breeding. His real life is bigger than real life. Someone should make a movie. It would not be boring I'm certain. But so many of his best works go unrecognized by modern readers who champion, Call of the Wild and White Fang but know nothing of his other works. The site I referred you too was started at Sonoma University by none other than Charles Schultz (the creator of Peanuts) and his wife who were as enthralled with Jack as I am. Enjoy.

[J. Hampton]

That is a life well lived...Jack was apparently a man about everything! Who knew?
I love him even more

[Tony Jordan]

A cardboard village is rapidly springing up in my home town. Cops are moving them on - continuously though so they move and they move and they move...
This time of year is worst.
This reminded me of the terribly emotional song 'Streets of London' by Ralph McTell.

[J. Hampton]

But it is sad when you see the homeless toting about a piece of cardboard as theirstossed out of shelters at 1st light in miserable cold weather.

[Chris]

We all had a Teddy Bear - at least in our dreams if not in life.

[TL Boehm]

your shame is my kryptonite.
digging for rare finds today. Hit paydirt with this one.

[Kitty]

i am loving this poem and your word play my sister! i love the voice you give these men and women. Seeing through the eyes of Jesus and then writing about these truths is why i write, and you inspire me!

[Designer]

This is extremely moving! The subject matter is heartbreaking, however, your gift of contructing the story within the poem to reach into our hearts and squeeze -feeling for a moment how the unfortunate...these gifted, talented and yet somehow forgotten humans live.
It is a beautifully designed poem written about a horrible living situation so many have come to know. You really got me in the heart with the "Jesus had no home".
This will stay with me!

[J. Hampton]

Your review is so appreciated...
I see how these folks feel on their eyes... How hard it is to hold their head up... They struggle with wanting someone to notice them... But they want to hide at the same time ...I listen to people mock them... And wonder how heavy their hearts must be

[Creepy Swine Guy]

This seems clearly about the homeless. It paints a frightening picture of homelessness and the accompanying hopelessness. I very much like the reference to being invisible. I think we have all been guilty of "pretend blindness" I know (shamefully) that I have.

[J. Hampton]

thanks for reading...
I work with homeless outreach programs ...and spend enough time in the ER of the hospital where I work....
there is so much behind the homeless perpetual exhausting ...journey to a normal life ...I have come to know soooo many and their stories...they would shock you...
I love them...and as best I can i give ...
but most of all i respect and i listen
ive been homeless....it was a blessing in disguise
I remember...