“The Cry of a Homeless Man”
Written by : Saladine Tareak Johnson

With hands outstretched to those who pass by I plead
Please spare some change for a lowly man in need
Yet it seems my pleas fall on peers with deaf ears
While I walk these streets full of need and wept tears
To survive when hungers strikes my pride is subsided
So the trash that others pass I yearn for what’s inside it
With strength and resolve I dismiss germs and disease
And with humility of heart give thanks for the received
So I close my eyes and I force to swallow
To silence the cries of my belly’s hollow
With tears I reminisce of the meals with fine wine
Now it’s dumpsters with discarded meals for fine dine
To hide the pain of being greatly reduced
I hide in the shadows as a homeless recluse
Will work for food, but denied the hire
They tell me instability and improper attire
I try the shelters waiting hours in line
But the needs of a family are greater than mine
What can I do that I may rise above this?
To escape the reality of a world so loveless
To stop and talk, no one dares
They know the needs, but no one shares
They know the hurts, but no one cares
So I know I’m on the lips of no one’s prayers
I’m growing tired, hurt, lonely and weary
Of asking for help in a world that won’t hear me
So tonight when I lay and conclude this day
In my world where the sun don’t shine
While others pray to be kept in their sleep
I pray He’ll take me in mine.