Photo by Kim Nelson ~ Malaga, Spain
I wondered about the challenges ~ social, emotional, physical ~ of living outside the norm, homeless, when I snapped this photo in late spring, 2011. This poem shares some of that silent pondering.
Wild hearts
beat brutal,
sentimental thoughts
aside
Cozying up
is futile
the aggressor has
his pride
Trusting predator
tolls death-knell
in this milieu
fierce and wide
Neither sullen,
angry, grudging,
just survival
tacks applied
No emotion
Kim- This is a beautiful piece on a sad situation. I think they have to stay emotionless to survive.
I wonder about that, too… and the dangers are so real. I tend to romanticize life in general, but living in the wild is just that.
so sad that some people are marginalized this way.
Scary in its truth. Great write.
So Appreciative, Mama Zen!
I think you’ve captured what it is like to be homeless.
Thank you, Thom. Observing the dignity with which these men created a home was a privilege. Despite that, I am sure the poem more accurately reflects the realities of their lives.
Very moving.
This is a strong poem – excellent exploration KN! Thanks for your comments…they keep me writing.
Pleasure’s all mine, Ollie. Your work keeps me coming back for more. Insightful, entertaining, honest, and tight.
A very strong poem. Those who are forced to live this way deserve only help, sympathy and understanding; but I have known ‘gentlemen of the road’ who prefer this way of life, and would decline decent accomodation of offered it free. There really are such people!
I know that a number of homeless are there by choice. I respect that they have that choice. The danger, the challenges, the literal wilderness in the city are obstacles they obviously considered.
Beautiful. I am familiar with a couple of homeless guys. This makes me reflect on them, again, as I always do.