Homeless

Terri McCallister

I am homeless
I am me
Look into my eyes
Tell me what you see

I was somebody once, in another life
But now I'm dirty and I'm cold
I am young
But this life has made me old

A plastic cup in my hand
A piece of cardboard is where I stay
I look up at you with defeated eyes
As you look the other way

So here I sit
On the sidewalk of a city street
They say it's the city of brotherly love
But I can't find anything to eat

A few bucks might help
But really it won't
I don't know how to become someone else
Which is what I really want

Just look into my eyes
Can you really see
That I am homeless
But I am me

About this poem

I was walking in downtown Philly, and I came across this tiny woman shivering in a dirty coat, sitting on an old piece of cardboard, a plastic cup by her side. She was too cold and too defeated to even hold up her cup. I gave her all the cash I had which was only 5$ or so, and I wrote this poem.

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Written on 2017

Submitted by Terrilou on November 14, 2022

Modified on May 02, 2023

: 43 sec read
: 279 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	ABCB XDXD XECE XFXF XXXX CBAB
Closest metre	Iambic trimeter
Characters	603
Words	138
Stanzas	6
Stanza Lengths	4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Full analysis for Homeless »

Terri McCallister

Terri McCallister is a Texas based poet. She has been published in "Beyond Haiku" Women Pilots Write Poetry. She is currently working on works of fiction, and always, another poem! more…

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4 Comments

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fredda.sjoman
I thought about this recently as well, and the image I got was an epiphany, which struck me with the force of terrible revelation. You have of course seen beggars (although nowadays perhaps it isn't always obvious who they are - at least in poorer countries and in the past they are real), but you haven't looked in their eyes. God, there can be unbearable tragedy there at times.

I think this poem does a good job of communicating that feeling. Although not telling of the worst tragedies of history, whose image struck me, but perhaps of a more relevant kind. I feel it uses mild and simple language, which admittedly might suit the milder subject case and makes it less affected, but the greedy romantic in me wishes for a more vivid emotional portrayal, perhaps more personal commentary of the life of a beggar, giving more insight into that striking perspective. But make of that comment what you will.

In any case, very enjoyable! more »
LikeReply 11 year ago
Symmetry58
Very well written, and the content is very touching.
LikeReply 11 year ago
a.m.mcguinness
I felt the subject matter was valuable, I have a heart for the homeless, and feel the underdog ought to always have a voice. It was innocent with hurt and yet dignity spoken.
LikeReply 11 year ago
docbonalotha
This poem speaks about the way things are in this world for a lot of folks who are facing very hard times. It is so real all around us in the cities we visit. Individualistic societies have forgotten those on the fringes of society. I have personally met such folks on the streets of rich nations, where everyone just passes by without even glancing at them.
Although the writing is very simple, it is a beautiful expression of the lonely soul, longing to be seen and heard. I would like to vote for this poem. more »
LikeReply 11 year ago

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"Homeless" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/145740/homeless>.

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