Ideas for the Giving Season - A Poem of Homelessness and Charity

This is not me begging, but ideas from a real street person as to what might be better, for those leary of giving cash. Which I fully understand. Seen too many packs, jackets and shoes being sold for cash, drugs or a swig from a bottle right after the gift was given myself. You still won't stop it all the way, but these are also things often traded for among us. 

We call it "The Giving Season",
just as you homed folks do.
For us, it starts about now
or a few weeks back really.
Labor Day seems to spark urges
among folks who see us wandering
under heavy loads along these streets.
Don't know what moves their hearts
to open up wallets and bags
holding out things to we Homeless.

The knowledge that Winter is coming
with his nasty snows and cold?
Or that crisp morning's chilly air
that made you start looking quick
for the windshield scraper and rakes?
That blaze of turning tree leaves
whose color highlights our dingy clothes?
I really don't care reasons why,
I just want to thank you
even if those receiving seem rude.

Not all want to give cash,
and I don't blame them any.
Seen too many fellow panhandlers slither
over to dealers next corner over
and waste it all at once
seeking their next, perhaps last, high.
So, after thinking it over carefully
I have some suggestions to offer
as an actual Homeless wise man
for you to consider as alternates.

You don't need much to try
offering these to those holding kites,
as we call our cardboard signs.
Single packs of instant coffee work,
as do hot chocolate and kool-aids.
You can get cheap liner gloves
over at your local dollar stores
And socks, never forget we walk
long distances in the bitter cold
wearing those too long until destroyed.

Gift cards are a great idea
just choose their source with Wisdom.
While Starbucks might seem your choice,
you get more cups per fiver
over at McD's or Seven Eleven.
And if you choose food gifts,
as an allergy sufferer I plead
have choices to avoid reactions ready
on those most common, deadly allergens
like nuts, tuna, berries and soy.

Believe it or not, even trash-bags
can be very well accepted items,
on those rainy or snowy days.
Batteries keep us just like you,
as we have little electronic devices
to help us keep spirits up,
be it radios, gaming toys, flashlights,
or for a few, digital cameras.
See, you can find easy things
that let you give during this season.

Not saying it won't go wrong
in some cases despite avoiding cash.
Face it, barter is our economy
with cigarettes, instant coffee and tokens
be it bus, laundry or some other,
as our hottest and desired commodities.
And, yes, some will trade foolishly
giving up needed gloves for drugs,
but that choice they will make
has its own long-term costs attached.

If you decide charities are better,
please, research that organization very well,
and don't be afraid to ask
one of us for which seems
to have their brains in gear
about getting things to end users
in timely and efficient ways recently.
Also watch for fake organizations springing
up to sucker your dollars away
from where the need really is.

I'm not telling you to give.
That decision is your's to make.
Those as have the heart will,
those as don't, well, they won't.
And no matter how much spent
it won't end the homeless problem.
But you will make some better,
and give their spirits a lift.
And your own, probably, as well.
After all, it's the season's name...
...and what life is really about.

17SeptemberDyfedd Rex