Free Showers? - A Poem from the Streets

Free showers.
That's all it is,
but the guys avoid
them like the plague
hiding fast.

Many need
that water's wash
to rinse away stink
from weeks without
a shower.

Some more so,
like that one guy
who ain't cleaned up for
at least a month
since leaving.

Oh, the rain falls down
and we all scatter
to avoid being
cleaned of sins and smells,
despite our strong needs.

It's still warm,
so no big threat
of freezing to death,
falling apart,
or jail time.

Still they run,
fools they remain
to evade the drops
falling from sky
like blessings.

Such a mess
we live this way,
cherishing the stench
of being thus,
just homeless.

Oh, the rain falls down
and they race about
seeking cover quick
to keep smelling bad
out of some weird pride.

Aromas
that speak our tales
about drugs we use,
tobacco we smoke,
or booze drunk
furtively.

Only I
stay out in it,
relishing the drops
that rinse my soul clean
as well my gear,
so I hope.

While others
stay under roofs
dry and still smelly,
I walk about
in the rain.

Oh, the rain falls down,
forcing the scatter
to places dry and warm
where some hold on tight
to their sole comfort...
...the homeless odor.

11September2013 - Dyfedd Rex