The last few weeks
been hearin' horror stories
from those downtown bound
about the shelter here.
They say it's turned
into three ring circus
crossed with open zoo
as things go downhill.
It's a place left
out of most's minds
until the annual fundraisers
to warehouse us in.
I've been fairly lucky
Since being kicked out
into that last snowstorm
back in cold Febuary.
Not dealing with fights,
no worries about how
to navigate Hell's Block
owned by users, dealers.
Can't go around it
without seeing at least
six drug deals happening
and probably a fight.
And that was before
they cut the men
out of their equations
reducing beds a third.
You wanna know why
so many camp out
on the park strips
or in sidewalk doorways?
Look into a mirror.
Honestly, do it, folks.
Because half this equation
came from your votes.
Cutting mental hospitals budgets
or closing their doors.
Losing your stupid wars
on alcholism and drugs.
Fighting any half-way house
going near your neighborhood
forcing those fresh out
of jail into shelters.
You created this mess.
You press to keep
it going along daily
even as you complain.
Never hire a homeless?
You make it worse.
Taking away the offramp
some seek with fervor.
Ten in the morning
for an entry time
ain't no long-term answer,
unless you want more.
Look in the mirror,
meet those eyes there.
If actually stand it.
I know, I can't.
Not after living out here.
26August2013 - Dyfedd Rex
Welcome to the place where Dyfedd Rex's footsteps in the electron sands reside. Enjoy the poems, stories, and other things I post here. Support a fellow, if you like them, buy one of the books on the various "published" tabs. Use the Poem / Story Jump-links to find chapters of serialized tales or poetry series you seek. !!!RECONSTRUCTION ONGOING!!!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Echoes from Hell's Block - A Poem of the Streets and Homelessness.
Labels:
Camping out,
Homeless,
The Shelter
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http://www.ksl.com/?sid=26728630&nid=148&title=crime-near-pioneer-park-close-to-out-of-control-police-say&fm=home_page&s_cid=queue-13 This article, one week later. and what can I say. Yeah, I worry about how efficient the media is. We tried talking to them, only City Weekly ever listens to the homeless. Until its time to use us all as scapegoats and sacrificial lambs.
ReplyDeleteStill hearing rumblings on the street, the echoes from this place. Watch out down there, folks. The homeless are just as unhappy about this stuff as you squares and citizens. Those that ain't into the drugs, booze and crime, that is.
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