The homeless man.



The homeless man.

I toss a few coppers and silver, they tinkle, into his tin.
Around me, is the racket of traffic and city "din",
I shudder as I walk away,
hoping someone will find somewhere quieter, for him to stay.

The city is hostile and distraction is all around,
but he is oblivious, just wants to be found
and for
money to be put into his tired hands.
He just wants passers by to take pity, understand.

A hairy, sleeping dog, it's head in his lap,
himself- slumped over, grimy, black teethe, tatty cap.
I wonder...
am I fueling his alcohol addiction?
I leave- before I encounter, from other people, any friction...

At least I cared in that moment, about his sad plight,
after all he is someone's Dad, brother, son -
now just an unwanted, abandoned sight....

About this poem

This is about the plight of the homeless.Should we take pity and give them money- or does it just serve to fuel their alcohol and drug addiction?

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Written on December 09, 2021

Submitted by ljsanders on April 25, 2023

47 sec read
107

Quick analysis:

Scheme X AABB CCXXX DDXEE FEF
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 767
Words 157
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 1, 4, 5, 5, 3

Laura Sanders

I live in Dorset in the U.K.I am inspired by nature and the countryside, especially the seasons, and the weather.I write about all sorts of topics and my poems are usually rhyming, haiku or free verse. more…

All Laura Sanders poems | Laura Sanders Books

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Discuss the poem The homeless man. with the community...

2 Comments
  • Soulwriter
    I liked this poem, written and expanded on, a passing thought. Thank you!
    LikeReply 110 months ago
    • ljsanders
      Hi Soulwriter -I am really glad you liked my poem and thankyou for awarding it 5 stars!! I am deeply appreciative.Yes, homelessness, and rough sleepers are a big problem everywhere you go and I cannot help, feel sorry for these folk, who have feelings and needs too.My poem tried to convey this message. We in UK, have this problem and winter is the time, us folk, feel their desperation, especially at Christmas. I usually try and help, if I see anyone begging on the pavements. It's a a sad plight... 
      LikeReply10 months ago
  • larrymize
    It's about the way of our current times. The homeless are everywhere and most are to busy to even notice or afraid to give more than a passing glance.
    LikeReply 110 months ago
    • ljsanders
      You are right- it is too easy to ignore them and walk on , which most seem to do...thanks for your comment.
      LikeReply10 months ago

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"The homeless man." Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/158847/the-homeless-man.>.

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