I see many homeless people on the streets of Sydney. Many are "dropouts" from our society for variety of reasons. Mental illness probably accounts for the majority of these people’s sad plight. One man’s request for help written on a torn piece of cardboard box (inserted into the poem) hangs framed on the wall of the church I go to, an organisation that heavily invests in social work. But in the end it really is a drop in the ocean, and one feels overwhelmed in the face of such a growing human crisis.
(I am no poet, I just want to give this man a voice. I hope some people will find the homeless man's own piece interesting. I was very impressed he spelt some of the words correctly.)
Compassion Exhaustion
He sits
Behind a remnant of throwaway cardboard box.
He gazes
Through the bleak human legs.
He scrawled
A neat piece in excruciating syntax.
HELP!
Dislektic; epylektic. Poor helth.
Its reel hard to get accomodaytion
Some land lords won’t tayke me in
Beauz I hav some problems.
I don’t drink or gamble
Traveling throo to Brisban to
see parents
Need $$ for some food and
lodgings for the nightt.
Thanks, merv
I stare past him sightless,
He is transparent.
I turn away regardless,
He is probably lying.
I walk on faceless,
I wish I didn’t see him.
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Powerful!
Written by msebastian08 (8 comments posted) 8th April 2008 | For someone who claims not to be a poet...the final stanza is pretty damn poetic! This is a powerful piece, starts of reminding me of mighty_moose's recent piece - but you really pull it back to poetry in the end. Moving!
Michael  |
Written by Josie (2845 comments posted) 8th April 2008 | | Be careful, is all I can say on this public website. I could tell you some real stories like this of people who have made a lot of money from begging in this way - especially outside of churches. | Michael, Josie, thank you
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 8th April 2008 | Michael: I am humbled. The more I read other people’s poems on GW, the less I feel I can write something that can be classified a true poem. But there are times when I want to be someone’s voice. This is one of them. Thank you for your encouragement.
Josie: I know what you mean. As far as I know, my church provides services, eg. food, lodging, counselling & legal service etc for these people, and very rarely cash. But your comment made me stop and think. The fact is I’ve seen many homeless people in the Sydney CBD (where the church is located), but I don't remember seeing one outside the church. That realisation made me think harder. What does that say about the church despite our fame for social work? You definitely gave me something to think about. Thank you again, Josie.
Mia  |
Written by Josie (2845 comments posted) 8th April 2008 | | The answer to that mia may be that the "church" (meaning the people who make up the church and not the building) is doing a great deal. Our church is very involved in many ways with the homeless, battered wives and many other issues both in this country and abroad. St George's Hall (see website) in Bradford gives housing to the homeless, so that is why they are not on their steps. But go to places like Florence, and Rome. You will see women on the steps, holding children in their arms who have been drugged (and are being given drugs in bottles in front of your very eys) and are asking for money. The children have been hired out for the day. Ask the people from those cities, ask the priests, and they will confirm this. You are asked not to give money to them for obvious reasons. |
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 9th April 2008 | Thank you for your comments again, Josie. I find it easier to give a couple of dollars to the homeless people. (Many don't ask for money in Sydney, they just lie or sit on the streets or in the park etc.) It's quick way to ease my conscience a little, and it's not even the cost of a cup of coffee, and I can tell myself I'm not going to worry about what they do with it. Not my business. I've done my bit.
The way to make sure they don't abuse the money is to offer to buy them food or their fare. I found that harder. My hubby and I offered to buy food for homeless people a couple of times. To our surprise, each man said yes. We took them to local McDonalds (you can't take them anywhere else) and they followed us obediently and ate. One even followed us to church, where to our relief we could bring in the greater resources at an organisational level. Otherwise we wouldn't have known what to do.
In the end, what these people need is more than our dollars, they need our human touch and true presence. And dear Lord, that's so much harder!!!
Mia  |
Written by Merioneth (79 comments posted) 10th April 2008 | Sums up perfectly something we can all empathize with. Usually it's their "job", and you can console yourself with that knowledge when you walk by, but there's always that nagging uncertainty in the back of your mind. What if it's not? The hardest ones are the proported "vets".
Final bit has a nice flow to it. Moving piece. | Merioneth, thank you
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 10th April 2008 | for your thoughtful comments. Yes, the nagging unease and sometimes guilt, is always there, and it lingers. We don't have "vets" in Sydney - I saw none. But the number of homeless people have doubled in the last 20 years due to family problems (according to analysts), and in my opinion increasing mental illnesses. Almost 80-90% is turned away daily from the shelters due to lack of room. It's just overwhelming.
Mia  |
Written by Robru (272 comments posted) 12th April 2008 | | Mia, you say you are not a poet, but you have put the plight of this unfortunate man in poetry extremely well. As for the topic, giving something to these kind of people, well? i give something when I can, if they are professional beggars then that's too bad. I feel better by giving something anyway. | Bob, thank you
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 12th April 2008 | for your encouraging comments. I'm beginning to think your attitude is the healthiest one. Surely one can't lose by giving when it is given in the right spirit. Your comments warmed my heart. You seem as kind and generous as your poems are.
Mia | punch to the stomach
Written by robokent (84 comments posted) 15th April 2008 | Mia,
Quid pro quo...
I live in Paris, so I'm very familiar with the plight of the homeless, seeing them everywhere here.
This poem captured the essence of my feelings, as my heart goes out to them and I want to do something, but in the end too often do not. As someone up above commented already, your last stanza is beautifully written, a hard punch to the stomach.
Thanks for your comment on mine.
RK | RK, homeless people in Paris?
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 15th April 2008 | Thank you for your encouraging review. I've never been to Paris, but I've always imagined the city to be full of romance, dreams, art and history - but not homeless people. My misconception makes it even sadder. I suppose today's cities are producing more and more people who cannot cope with life, and our compassion is being dangerously exhausted.
I've enjoyed your piece, RK. Hope to read more of your work on GW.
Mia  |
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