Homeless

Inspired by Ted's poem about the homeless man.

Homeless

 

 

 

i heard a snowflake scream

as it dashed itself on the pavement

 

a five-story high rise looked on

closed its windows at the sight

 

a pedestrian slipped on the tears

and frosted blood

 

then another scream

and so many

 

until there was a foot's worth

of suicides

 

and on the curb

wrapped in newspaper

 

a bum lay freezing to the sidewalk

no tears for him

 

the nature of humans

white sorrow

 

black hearts

another scream

 

no one hears.

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/6/22

Reviews

[Pete]

the plight of the too often overlooked homeless. wow, very powerfully said. i was hooked from the opening. the emotive snowflake imagery is brilliant ... :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Pete,
j.

[poison&kerosene]

Wow amazing imagery and powerful and concise message. Wonderfully penned!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, poison,
j.

[John the Baptist]

The plight of the homeless, while never pleasant, is truly serious in winter. I contribute to the local Union Mission, and they do a good job providing shelter, but there is always the chance that someone won't make it there.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that is a good thing to do...at Thanksgiving I work our Newman Center dinner...
might be the one good meal some of these people get all year.
thank you, John,
j.

[Miss Sharon]

(the nature of humans white sorrow black hearts another scream) We have a lot of homeless here in Colorado and my heart breaks for them...wondering how they survive the cold...where do they go...and why do so few seem to notice or care? I've often said to myself and others that this should not even happen in the affluent society in which we live and I wonder....why does it? You've written of it well my compassionate friend! ~Sharon



no one hears.

[duff]

Close the shades and pretend. Money flowing into greedy hands. Ignore it and it will go away.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

but can we close the shades in our hearts?
thank you for your words, duff,
j.

[Ted Kniffen]

What can I say except this is indeed inspired writing. Glad I could provide the incentive.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for the inspiration, Ted.
j.

[Gee]

So, so many are invisible in plain sight of the masses, most of whom are presumed to be the orchestators of their own plight though this I would presume is far from the truth.
I, like many, give small change but never the time of day which is terrible
Hard hitting words Jacob.
Hope you are well.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Gee, I totally understand.
we have such mixed feelings in those situations.
j.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It's a shame that there is such a thing as homelessness in America. There are as many reasons for being homeless as there are homeless. The social stigma concerning homelessness seems to view it as a result of mental illness or addiction and to be sure there are a number of those but I believe the greater majority are not. There are a great many who lose their jobs, incomes and security through no fault of their own and sadly wind up in the same state. Sometimes those willing and able to work just need a hand up. I enjoyed your poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I agree with you about the majority...
thank you, Fabian,
j.

[Patricia]

I have a soft spot for the homeless as I was one several lifetimes ago so I know what it is to survive out there in the winters trying to hide and stay warm and forget your hunger and quite possibly die as so many of them do without anyone caring. You don’t know their stories unless you ask, and I ask and you would be surprised at who they were before tragedy struck them. Yes there are drug addicts and alcoholics and even the mentally disabled but they weren’t always and they are human. I so appreciate the poems about them, it brings light back on a serious problem that we should not have. Great writing! I love this piece. Hugs!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, they are human...and we need to have more understanding and interest.
Thank you, Patricia,
j.

[M. J. Smith]

You're right. Nobody really gives a 😤😤😤😤
At best, they whisper meaningless prayers over a suicide or the death of a homeless person. At worst, they villify anyone who even looks homeless. Mostly, they just ignore.
Rightly spoken, my friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your understanding review, M.J.
j.

[M. J. Smith]

I have ridden city streets and been the target of beer cans, trash, insults and worse. I have been screamed at, run off by cops, and snobbed off by ministers. But for one whole year, I was The Drifter. Well do I know the uncaring hearts of people. Nature, as harsh as she is, treated me better. Again, well spoken, J.