Author Information
Homelessness
Homelessness
The old priest on TV spoke with a sigh”
“It’s not the lack of housing and of roof,
As “Homeless Folk” so many qualify,-
All those deprived of shelter, care and love.
“Consider now the home for kith and kin,
The seedy home of guzzler Frank John Doe,
The strangest things go often on within
Its fortunate the neighbors do not know!”
“The toddlers slink away and duck and cry
The guest, an auntie, looks a little lewd,
The children fear her too, but know not why
Their kin folk think her querulous, but prude.”
“They all do feel a certain homelessness,
But youngsters leave the Home and seek the street,
To find that selling grass can bring success,
And learn to love the king pins of the weed.”
“A homeless man,- the old priest said- is he,
Who sits with a catheter full and rings.
And has no view back black and white TV
Urine overflows,- the nurse is loitering”.
“Thus homelessness, -it really does - extend,
It’s met in losses and adversity,
That does befall good folk in every land,
Although they have a roof and can drink tea”.
And homelessness is in the Nursing Home,
Where sheltered people suffer martyrdom
And in the ward psychiatric few are kind.
With sheltered people that have lost their mind.
“Great is the longing of all people for a Home,
To dwell in and to serve their every need,
But strangely, off-spring does prefer to roam
The darkest corners of the city street.”
“We do we put the “Homeless” with address?-
The stunned bereaved who hold a box for mail,
And even own a key, but nonetheless,
Fight for existence daily tooth and nail?”
“Gone is the “Home” of mutual support,
The chilly place yawns hollow emptiness,
Gone the dependable and bright consort-
This is another type of homelessness!”
“Ah homelessness is found in many a state,
In diverse forms and shapes it can be met,
When all that matters hangs upon a thread”-
All this and so much more the speaker said.
No angel can replace the loved one lost
They sing so happily before God’s throne,
Or tend with zeal each an apportioned post,
While kindly friends say vaguely: “Life goes on!”
“Ah! - homelessness encompasses much more
Than absence of a house” - he sadly spoke,-
“Bereavement or great loss is at the core,
And yes, - so many bear this heavy yoke.”
“All need a sheltering mansion sweet and bright,
Where their deep longing will not be ignored,
A mansion full of love and warmth and light
A mansion in the House of our Lord!”.
