HOMELESS

I'm homeless,
Homeless, not hopeless.
I need someone to love me.
It's not much to ask,
a kind word now and then,
to show that you care.

I live under bridges
and in windy shop door ways.
I hide in bus shelters
and sleep on the trains.

I left home at thirteen
ran out of the door
from a Dad who was drunken;
all hands and a lot more besides.

I ran from a Mum who was blind
to my sobs and my tears.
She couldn't she
the way he abused me.

I was free for a while
but the memories they haunt me
at the end of the day.

I'm your son and your daughter
don't you know me
all rolled into one.
I see your head turn
as you drive past me.

There are thousands walking
the streets of the city.
We live in the shadows
of your tall buildings.
You don't recognise us
as you rush by.
Intent on your shopping
all blinded and blinkered
to all but your own
Mills and Boon world;
that is denied us
from cover to cover
all sugar and spice.

We don't want your hand with a spoon
to force feed us.
We just need a place
to be in from the cold.

Somewhere dry would be nice.

We're homeless
homeless. not hopeless
we need someone to love us
It's not much to ask
a kind word now and then,
to show that you care.

We're homeless
damm you
homeless
homeless not hopeless.

Ken Setter
Sydney
October 1993 ©