Noms de Rue - A poem of the Streets and Homelessness.

We have no names,
just noms de rue.
Tags hung on us
by those passing by
or fellow street folk
as we wander about.

We have no hope,
lest you give it.
Be it a smoke,
a beer, a fiver
or even spare change
pressed into our hands.

We have left behind
memories, families, troubles, more.
Each one out here
has some woeful tale,
injustices inflicted upon us
or just bad times.

Yet we are people
still trying to rise
wishing to hold heads
up to meet eyes
that avoid our gaze,
from fear or shame.

One paycheck from this,
so many we pass.
They know it too,
dreading joining our ranks
as we line up
to find some aid.

We all want out
save a few souls
so lost in despair
they abandon all hope
passing the gates nightly
for a warm bed.

Walk in our shoes,
know our deepest dismay
and moments of optimism
over this ending soon.
But know this fact
we are still here.

The economy may boom
or crash to ground
and faces remain here,
downcast, gloomy and broken
for we are untouchables
who never will disappear.

That one hides now
from debts or misdeeds,
the guy storming around
has demons from war
that followed him home
others just gave up.

Some use fake names
to hide from Law.
Others given a nickname
for some quirky trait
or item of clothing.
Or just chosen randomly.

Do not turn away.
Look at us individually.
We could be you,
with one bad decision
so I ask you,
what name is yours...
.. if that day comes.

21December2012 - Dyfedd Rex.