Homeless Girl

He could have found so many answers
at the end of a bottle
But instead he went walking in the park

trying to make sense of a debacle

Then the sky opened up and it rained
he ran for cover until it stops
That's when he quickly found a shelter

it was made out of a cardboard box

There was a young woman inside of it
who was trying to get warm
He told her that he apologizes and that

he truly meant her no harm

He said, " I didn't mean to disturb you
and quickly destroy your house
If you want, I can take you too mine

my car is parked really close."

He told her that he had recently received
a broken heart earlier today
But it doesn't compare to your situation

I just hope that you'll be okay

He told when we get there inside
you can take a hot shower
Then he cooked a delicious hot meal

in which she slowly devoured

He tried to get her to open up about her life
but she eased back with anticipation
Then she asked him to turn down the lights

She said ,"Right after graduation

Both of my parents were fighting and yelling
And all of my friends had left
It wasn't the things that were said

It's what he did that scared me to death

It wasn't the fact he called us both w****s
but he put his hands around my neck
After my mom hit him with a frying pan

I just packed up my things and left

I didn't have no money, nowhere to go
None of my friends could take me in
So I have been here out on the streets

For the past two years is where I'm livin'

He wiped a few tears from his eyes
and he said I'm not putting you out
You can stay here as long as you like

As  long as you don't mind the couch

As he was heading home from his job
He saw a flyer stapled to an old pole
He saw the big letters that said, "MISSING"

And that the young girl was 19 years old

He called the number and spoke to a woman
he said your daughter is safe and sound
He gave her the address and so she drove

only a few miles across town

A knock a the door, there stood her mother
she slowly got up, ran to her and cried
Her mother was bawling, looking at her

Tellin her she thought she had died

She told her that her daddy went to prison
and if she would like, she can go home
There's nobody there that will beat you

Where's there love and a bed to call your own

They both thank the young man with hugs
He said, "It's the least I can do
He said take care of each other; respect your mother

and oh, I was once homeless like you!

by: James W. Mckay
June 29,2023

Author's Note

*Trigger warning**