rumpled wet cardboard
newspaper floats on gusts of wind
the smell of smoke burns the nostrils
while someone is urinating on the wall

small dogs growl as you pass by
cold bare feet show from under worn blankets
while one hand grasps the wheel of a shopping cart
making sure no one takes their life's belongings

clean clothes a faded memory
as are the faces of loved ones
dementia and paranoia settle in
as your new best friends

"spare a dollar sir, for something to eat?"
"i don't think so, you will buy a bottle"
"you are right sir, but that bottle keeps me warm"
"get a job you freak, and leave me alone"

last cardboard box on the back wall
strange smell, stranger than usual
poke joe with my left toe
joe won't be needing that blanket anymore

shared bottles, germs abound
hey, i used to be a ceo, ya know
then all the voices came around
and told me i had to end it all

hospital told me i couldn't stay
had to go home, and then i laughed
home....you mean that cardboard box?
well while i was in here, someone took it

that makes me homeless ya know
if you have no box, you have nowhere
can't use park benches or you'll be arrested
hey, free room and board, sounds good

warm cot feels so good to my aching back
peanut butter and jelly sammich filled the belly
but ****, didn't know i had to watch my back
someone made me his ***** when i wasn't looking

nowhere is not the place to be

©Regina2009