THESE PEOPLE
Asleep in a drop in center in the middle of the night
I heard these words, left suspended in the air.
“What’s wrong with ‘these people’?”
These people, said by someone whose job it is to serve and help.
If you don’t like, “these people,” why are you even here?
Too often those managing the homeless see themselves as baby sitters
And treat the clients as such.
Instead of being a resource, thereby demanding those in need
become more resourceful.
The homeless are not “these people.”
They are not second class citizens.
They are people.
Let’s treat them as such.
LEAST FAVORITE THINGS
Sprinklers turning on while I’m sleeping
Wetting my things, oh what was I thinking!
I never know what each night will bring.
This is one of my least favorite things.
Young men lurking, scheming, and thieving
Stealing my things and leaving me seething.
I never know what each nigh will bring.
This is one of my least favorite things.
When the bugs bite, when the wind chills, when it rains all night.
I add these to my least favorite things because they make me so sad!
Security constantly making me move.
I’m not sure what they’re trying to prove.
I never know what each nigh will bring.
This is one of my least favorite things.
Ankles swollen beyond recognition.
It’s amazing I can walk in this condition.
I never know what each night will bring.
This is one of my least favorite things.
When my soul aches, when my mind hurts for being awake too long.
I add it to my least favorite things which is the purpose of this poem!
