Woke up to a cramping stomach roaring like a mangled panther
Lost count of last meals and even had the money
but wasn’t allowed in the store
That money is gone now
disappeared within shadows that rest on streets
where that man tripped me last night.
It was the spit that hurt worst though
So, I slink into lakes when no one is near
The only way to wash myself besides
throwing water from sinks lathered with
the stink of public bathrooms.
I should have never fallen so hard
I have a doctorate in business
A degree that should be the epitome
of any company application
and get me passed heard but seen
yet my qualifications are masked by
the stench of algae and clothes torn
from concrete mattresses, stained by Sunday Times sheets
It’s not failure to get an opportunity
but failure to be able to say I’m even looking for work
because no one listens to someone in my condition.
I once punched a cop without the fear of being shot
because being arrested meant three meals and a cot
while death meant no more struggles
He just pushed me down and walked away
And when compassion appeared to pick me up
Yelled don’t help the strays and I was dropped.
My sign doesn’t say help me or ask for anything
but quotes to pay attention to the economy
and the advancement of technology
Do your best but always prepare for the worst
because I was once a CEO but then
America faced a recession that led to financial depression
And society doesn’t care how you end up in my situation
only that you are in it
and once you are in it
no one cares that you even exist.
Soulely Spoken 