Not by Choice
The streets are filled with them. They are not there by choice. They ask for help and the words fall on deaf ears. They reach out and we pull back as if a disease will jump from them to us. Our eyes burn at the mere thought of looking into their eyes, so we don’t. Beggars, homeless, and helpless is what they are called. They did not ask to be there.
Who would help you
Soulless eyes can’t look
They can’t see the tears
They can’t see the desperation
They can’t see the tattered clothes
They can’t see the predators
They can’t see the scars
Deaf ears can’t hear
They can’t hear the empty stomachs
They can’t hear the cries
They can’t hear the frustration
They can’t hear the begging
They can’t hear the footsteps
Germless hands can’t touch
They throw away their food
They discard their old clothes
They can’t afford to help
They can’t hold a hand
They can’t shield them
Society has pushed them down
They turn to trades of the streets
They steal for lack of money
They beg as you walk by
They look down in shame
They disappear and no one notices
Who are they
They are children
They are women
They are men
They are neighbors
They are family
Without your help
They are hopeless