Jane

I am featuring this because of the severe winter weather happening in most of the USA I thought about this last night when the temperature dropped to 12 degrees~ 'She forgot who she was"..

 

 

 

She walks the streets
no shoes adorn her feet
bare
bruised
rough, calloused

She finds solace in an
old suitcase
it holds all her belongings
she treasures them

A book of poetry
a purple silk scarf
a comb with most of it's teeth missing
like it forgot to visit the dentist
and
a picture
little girl
blonde
blue eyes with
a smile that lights the darkest rooms

She knows of dark rooms
she lives in darkness
she had a flat but her job
well, her job let her go
so the man said, "Get Out"
she tried to get another job
"we're not hiring", they always said

After a time , a long time
she forgot her name
now,
well, now
she roams the dirty boulevard
and wonders who she is
and how she got here
she wonders who the little girl is
who's smile lights the darkness in which she lives

People sneer at her
laugh, point , stare
a woman with faded blue eyes
dirty blond hair
in Salvation Army rags
they laugh
they make her feel
'uncomfortable'
they call her
the bag lady
among other names

Sometimes she cries
though she is used to it
her stomach gnaws with hunger pains
as she searches the trash and dumpsters
for a crumb
just a crumb
one crumb

The man at the bakery watches her
his heart is not hard
he calls her
she doesn't hear him
because
she doesn't want to

She knows what he wants
laughing
sneering
pointing
she walks past

Some nights she sees Angels
they call her name
"Jane"
"Jane"
"Hello Jane,
do you know
someday you will inherit
this Earth"?

Someday isn't soon enough for
sweet Jane
someday needs to be today

"Jane, don't cry",
they say
"someday"
"someday"
"someday"

"Please", she whispers
"help me find my way home"
"please", she cries
"let me be visible again"

She feels so alone
she is alone
but when she looks at the faded photograph
her heart feels lighter
the world
brighter

She coughs a lot
her house leaks
her nose runs
her stomach aches with hunger pangs

The Angels visit her every day now
"Jane, someday is now"
"Are you going to show me the way home"?

"Follow the light Jane"
She feels warm for the first time
in so long
the feeling is surreal
the light radiates throughout her
filling her,satiating the hunger
cold, loneliness

In the distance
beneath a tree of
fragrant blossoms
by a stream as clear as crystaline crystal
sets the little girl
"Mommy", she cries
"You finally came home"




 

Author's Note

I am glad I wrote this one on wordpad.. people need to be aware of this ... and not all homeless are drug addicts or alcoholics.. most are people like you and me .. it is said most Americans are one paycheck away from being homeless.. it could happen to any of us!

Reviews

[Lionel Braud]

this poem has a lot going, it is a narrative poem full of heeartache and hope, and has a harsh sense of realism, contemporary urban realism, lot of rhymes and off rhymes, slant rhymes, good use of dialogue, not many use dialogue, robert frost did, this incorporates lots of poetic styles.

[*** Hey Jude***]

This piece is so very touching and cuts straight to the heart. I "feel" this woman's experiences as you have written them so eloquently. I am so glad that you bring this problem into the light. We are one of the richest countries in the world, and there is no reason whatsoever anyone, at anytime should have to experience homelessness and the intense pain that goes with it! This is a favorite! ~ Jude xo

[Roxy's Writes Rocks th..]

Chloe darling this was absolutley stunning. I am well thoughtless, stunned trying to compose myself. You brought Jane to life for me. As if you were she and I was watching you on screen or right before my eyes. It was gripping and sad. I know about the homeless first hand. My son 18 year old drug addicted beautiful son, chooses to be homeless. I get him every month or so and he tells me about getting a fix and sleeping with the older bums cause they don't mess around. They protect him, while he prostitutes himself for drugs. I cant help blame myself in some way as mothers do.

You are a great advocate putting the stats up trying to make a difference is what this ability of ours is all about. Making a difference! You have made a difference in the life of one person this day and I thank you. Roxy

[Emma]

This is very powerful and thought provoking. How many times do we pass a homeless person on the street and not even give them a second thought. What is their story? What happened in their life for it do end up this way. It has certainly made me think more.
Brilliant write, thank you for sharing x

[Rodney Ray Hatchell / U..]

Hi I liked this poem,,It is more like reality than a poem. I have taken into my home over 150 people in the pass seven years and I am willing to allow many more to come to help them get a new start. If we as Christians do our part instead of looking to the Government there would be no homeless people. So there are many who say they are one thing but has no value in there words or actions. Judgment will be hard on them when they have turn there heads away from the needy . God Bless,RodneyRay

[O!]

i know about the homeless issue in America........and it is quite astonishing that a country like America has such a high statistic when it comes to homeless ppl........it is the land of possibilities they say?.......for some i guess.......it hurts to good ppl meet their fate on the streets........it is a hard situation to come out of.......especially for women.......and so very dangerous for women.......most ending up in prostitution.....

Thank u for writing this.......

x
O!

[Beth]

This nearly brought tears to my eyes... fantastic write - powerful and moving.

[Duane Klinger]

I just read through the reviews you've already received and most seem to focus more on the poem in the writing way not much on the context and though the poem was exquisite in the way it was written I think it was the message that made it hit home with me. I am not an avid reader of poetry but this one. . .oh this one I loved. I don't think I have read anything in a very long time that was as powerful and as meaningful as this one. Homelessness is not a joke and I don't think people understand that unless they've lived through it. I loved this piece it has easily become one of my favorites I've read on here. Thank you for the wisdom you've shared so exceptionally.
MKLINE

[Bunmi Darling]

That could have easily being me. But thank God I find solace in my writings, and it has brought me this far. I wrote a similar Poem, which I titled, the BAG LADY. I will post it later this week. Much love.

[THE BLACK SEAL]

powerful and beautiful i loved it and hope to see more of you in the beats contests etc.

[Lex]

That was heartbreaking. It was just fantastic.