Down and Out

@nanette64 (20364)
Fairfield, Texas
April 13, 2016 12:44pm CST
Some time back I had done a poem in prose about the homeless situation and reading a post by @Hatley brought that back to mind, so I thought I would share it with you. They live in filth and walk on streets of urine and feces. They sort through trash for food to survive. They freeze in the winter and swelter in the summer. They have no healthcare and the children receive no education. They are spit on, beaten, chased or completely ignored as if they carry the plague. For most, it is not their choice that they live in squalor; it could happen to anyone. There are millions of them; entire communities. Society sees them as misfits and lazy. Who are "they" of which I speak? "They" are "Our Homeless". Do not judge who these people are. It could happen to any one of us at any time. Yes, there are some scam artists out there, but the majority include even our military members. Where are these people suppose to go? There is not enough services to take care of every one. Cities are overwhelmed and apparently can't figure out what to do.
9 people like this
5 responses
@jaboUK (64360)
• United Kingdom
13 Apr 16
Yes, they are to be pitied - who's to know what brought them there. (I thought prose was just writing that was not poetry, so it is either/or - just being picky) I loved your unrhyming poetry.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64360)
• United Kingdom
14 Apr 16
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
14 Apr 16
Ya caught me @jaboUK . Yes it is prose and 'not' a poem per se.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Apr 16
sad, but true :( there's some communities though who're takin' innovative approaches to helpin' these folks. i was jest readin' 'bout one the other day. buildin' houses fer 'em 'n offerin' services there'n site.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
14 Apr 16
There are so many abandoned buildings that could be converted for these folks @crazyhorseladycx . But what do they do? They destroy them and build parking lots. Geez!
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Apr 16
@nanette64 so true, hon. 'course, many'f those buildin's require so much'n funds to get'em to the current code that folks jest figure 'tis cheaper to doze 'em down 'n start anew. they took the original hospital'n these parts 'n converted it into a mission 'f sorts with all kinds'f services fer those'n need. i believe the apartments opened a couple years 'go - they'd the need to do't in phases's funds became available.
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
14 Apr 16
Yes homelessness is a huge problem in the world..
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15729)
• Canada
13 Apr 16
It is so sad that people are forced to live like that. I saw... somewhere, where a man built this tiny little house that would sit in his driveway. The little old lady lived there for about 15 years. She was so grateful just to have a place to call home. She could lock it when she went scavenging for the day and then come home to... her home at night.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
14 Apr 16
That was so nice of that man to do that @Hate2Iron .
@Ethan21 (14)
13 Apr 16
I think ppl should be more kind to the homeless . cause u never know if that person spent time overseas or it could be u one day..
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
14 Apr 16
Very true @Ethan21 . I just don't understand how this situation has gotten so out of control.