Scotland's shame

A poetic take on the scandal of homelessness

Scotland’s shame

 

A bed for the night

what a plight

If you haven’t got one!

 

We’ve all got our own thoughts

about the beggers

around the highways     

sitting on the byways

Of our great cities

 

Where are they from?       

Is it all just a scam?

Thought up in Tirana

‘Here’s a banana!

That’s one o’ your five’                    

Some might just say with a laugh

 

I always walked past

And just gave a smile (or not)     

And say, sorry mate!

 

But today, feeling high

I stopped for a chat,

Wi’ Robert on Buchanan Street

Right next to the clockwork orange

(definitely no one o’ your five!)

 

Cheerily he told me,

without rancour

His sad story that could

Easily, be yours or mine

His dad had died 

they lost the house

a printer to trade

 

like the ships, the coal, all fade

with cruel march o’ progress

aided by the grocers lass from Grantham!

(Vote yes on Sept 18^th

And break the shackles

I can feel my my hackles rise!

Nae choice - vote yes!)

 

I digress a tad

But maybe not so much!

So sad to think

O’ lives shattered

By the gangster ways o’ bankers

And I can only think o’ one suitable rhyme here!

 

Back to Robert ….

We chatted about why

we shun the likes o’ him

Scary dugs              (dugs - dogs)

And booze and drugs

Maybe just excuses

to mask our own meanness

 

then a scary shock when

Rab’s asked if I kent      (kent-knew)

about the polis               (polis-police)

‘No’ I professed ‘what?’

‘they hide across the road

and when they see you dropping a butt

they come and catch you in the act

and fine you forty quid!’

‘What! You’re joking.

You haven't got forty quid!’

Rab laughed. ‘It’s to get us off the streets

before the games next year.’

 

I’d just come south by train

met some Celtic lads

got off, so pissed

booze wasn't missed

 

so I offered Rab a Tennants

‘ta pal but I don't drink!’

but a sannie was gratefully received

our judgements are very easy

and convenient to

salve oor souls!

 

Rab only needed 20 quid 

for a bed for that night

not my plight, thank God!

hotel room waiting, cosy,

up the road

 

I gave Rab a few quid

And wandered up the street

I stopped a guy to ask the way

Told him Rab’s story

Looked a good guy,

said he often helped them out

But when I looked behind

He paused, then walked across

To the far side of the street!

 

I walked up to the bus station

passed another scary, scared

young guy, face scarred

sitting with a paper cup

what happened to you pal I said

‘S**t!’

‘I was sleepin’ rough

and a guy stabbed me

through my eye into my brain!’

 

What I learned that day was ..

Don’t fall by the wayside!

 

 

A mans a man for a’ that!

 

Robert Burns

 

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Sad story, all too true now in our cities. It's everywhere and in the UK it is a national scandal that people have to sleep rough. Everyone, no matter what their problems deserve a roof over their head. Some of the stories are tragic. Many do not involve addictions at all. Some as a result of partnership breakups, loss of jobs, illness, death. You name it and it is heart wrenching. I can tell that you also find this situation wretched Alan. Good read.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Christine, for searching this out. It's one of a flow of writing I did one long manic weekend when I didn't need to think what to write. It kick started my latest spell of writing. I don't get high often but the creative urge has definitely stayed.
Cheers,
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Once bitten with writing, it never leaves. Good afternoon Alan.

[Coyote Poetry]

In our world. Homeless are many and forgotten. Our USA president tell the world. Best economy ever. Homeless cites are everywhere. They are bridge people in Florida and California have millions. Here in my home town Detroit. Empty houses being used by the homeless and the city allowed. Time for places like the USA to quit spending 1.2 trillion plus on war and teach the poor new trade and ensure every child and person has food. Many have given-up in the USA. I believe we can do what we can. Spain, Greece and many countries are struggling. A hard world for many and thank you my friend for sharing your words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Lorry]

Well, I had to click when i saw thisone Alan, just to see what flavour of shame, as we have so many to choose from, sectarianism, deep fried mars bars or buckfast, to name a few.
You would think as writers, we would realise not to judge books by covers, but sometimes we do and sometimes we don't, and are surprised that our first impressions are wrong. Will we ever learn?
And we all know the only orange in glasgow thats one of your five a day is a Terry's choc one.
A man's a man, for aw that... an merr. There but fir that Gracie sod, go I. 😀

[alanwgraham]

Ta Lorry. It wisnae you wiz it? i wrote a bunch o ramblings when I was manic in glasgow. I have deleted most in case my trick cyclist is in the cafe. Thanks for your (im)pertinent comments.
Up yours
Alan
Wish me guid luck wi reading some Burns related guff tonight.

[Lorry]

Ha, and me too. Im going to a ceilidh, with veggie haggis being served. What the hell have we cometo, when the haggis is healthy and sugarless irn bru. I think we're living in a twilight zone episode.

[alanwgraham]

GUID luck. Go easy on the irn bu or you might look like a girder.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Scotland's Shame'
alangraham,
Our whole world home cries in shame for all that are living on our streets, parks and alley ways. What to do? Are these ones our poor, our brethren? Do we find identity? To stop and share time, eye contact is the beginning and the end of ignorance. It is a door opened. They are people like us, love is a need,help and our willingness to meet some need. I understand your above writing. I am glad you reminded of this reality in our world. I loved your reference from Robert Burns to; 'A man's a man for a' that!'
Blessings to you and yours this New Year!
Kathy

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Kathy. Yes, they are people like us and we could be in their shoes. Our leaders have other agendas to follow!
There is plenty to go round.
You always find something positive to say.
All the best.
Alan1

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Bless you dear Alan...I was thinking your a pretty positive person your own self!
Kathy

[barleygirl]

I wrote a one-line review of this, two years ago, but I can’t remember any of it, so I’ll delete & start fresh! Your poem is a universal message, even tho it’s aimed at your country only. Since this was written a couple years ago, the message is just as pertinent, if not more so! That’s the way to pick a topic & treat it well. Unfortunately, your words are even more meaningful now than before, with so many refugees around the world, risking life to become a street person even, in a country where street people live better than in refugee camps other places perhaps. It’s too sad to imagine. But in your poem, you are brave & you take pull back the veil without hesitation . . . so powerful in the way you shine a light so bright on this curse we live with everywhere . . . and so many more regular folk are fearing daily this might be their ultimate end in life. Excellent job of treating this topic so tenderly in your stark honesty! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

Great to read this again Margie - my memory is going too! Originally I'd written this in broad Scots but this should be understandable now (I revised it at your suggestion). I was very manic the weekend I spoke to these guys and to my shame I nearly always walk past and its always easy to find excuses. For some it is a scam. My wonderful daughter who lives in Glasgow volunteers with the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees and is an inspiration. It is a cruel world we live in!
All the best,
Alan

[barleygirl]

I do like your way of providing a shorthand glossary in the moment for your Scottish idioms!

[alanwgraham]

I'm expecting the same for your quaint american sayings - a nudge is as good as a wink to a blind man!

[barleygirl]

We ego-centric Americans think ours is the only English & everyone else speaks in versions!

[alanwgraham]

Exactly! I rest my case. Ha ha.

[...]

Poem have nice flow and following in your thoughts . So even is too long is still to readable. I like your story there make this piece more on the live. I was used to live for 5 years in Aberdeen . When I arrive oil business still booming . So there was on the streets just like 2 homeless and one player oh bag pipes. After 3 years sutendly there was like about 20 or 30 homeless on main street. Actually sometimes es is was too sad. Cause there was even mother with little children. I think there is lot of sadness. Sometimes night pub can became really wild place and on the streets are lot of fights in night. I bam sure there is lot of problem with do estic violence and drugs problems. Just mostly can lead to became homeless. Very important poem for all of us.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks martin. This is an free poem from a few years ago when I had a manic spell and I just wrote straight from my subconscious. It might appear unfinished but that's what came out.
Regards,
Alan

[...]

I can say really great came out.

[Willard Wells]

A bit long for my taste and a bit fractured. Kind of like flashbacks in a movie. Your words hold truth and I can feel your empathy. Well Done.
Still looking for the one you suggested.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for taking the time to read this Willard.
Cheers, alan

[Carolynn]

I bet we could learn some very sad stories if we just took the time to listen. These poor people get no respect and no one seems to care. It was fun reading your work in your Scottish tongue - I'm not used to that but really enjoyed it :)

[Phil Roberts]

I guess all cities are the same. Casualties everywhere you turn :(

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Phil.