I was inspired to write this piece after hearing a news story about two teens who attacked 3 homless people with bats. It was in Ft. Lauderdale, and one of the men attacked later died, his only crine was sleeping on a bench at Florida Atlantic University. Hope it inspires you! Street people do not see Our fast, evading glances. Yet they are never free From heartless, cruel advances. Street people cannot hear Our constant, hungry groans. They know we’re not sincere For we can’t feel it in our bones. Street people don’t have comforts Like a Future or a Past. For those won’t cause real hurt Tis hunger that will last. Street people cannot take Their focus from this moment The decisions that they make Don’t have time to foment. Street people do not care For D.C. or Hollywood. For no scandal can compare To a single act of good. Street people are pushed out Of America’s great dream They fill our lives with doubt And we ignore their silent screams. The street people invite us Into their wind blown lives. In such ways they incite us And yet no help arrives. The street people live days Just barley scraping by And in certain ways We see Us in their eyes. Street people will need Much more than sympathy. If we are to succeed It takes help from you and me.
