$1.59
This Poem was inspired by the many homeless I saw frequent an old cafe in Toronto during the Winter lockdown of 2020.
I sit and face
the window
in a cheap coffee shop,
one that smells
of old fryer oil
and dirty dishwater
and the lights,
flicker and buzz
just like, the people
outside.
//
Inside,
the people are quiet
and hold a vacant stare
as if trapped
in a memory.
Their coffee has long since
gone cold,
just as their lives have.
That hollow gaze
is not the expression
of a life lived in comfort,
it is the twisted torment
of the forgotten
the broken
the damned
the lost souls,
that wander the streets
like tortured spectres in the night
whilst we sleep
behind lock and key.
And as our bolts
slam shut,
dark silence descends
upon the City
and the poorest of us
creep, crawl, crouch and
hide
in places where,
not even the rats will go.
//
And as the new day dawns,
those who survived
the night's promise
roll the dice
once again,
and shuffle out of
the shadows of death
to lay at our feet.
A few quarters here and there,
just enough
for a hot cup
in the cheap coffee shop,
and when they enter
into the warmth
they watch the steam rise
from the glorious liquid
until it fades,
and the day
fades
and the memory of
last night, watches them
through the window,
until it's time to rise
and go back there,
where
not even the rats will go.
About the Creator
Dean F. Hardy
Writer from Dublin, Ireland.
*All work here is owned by Dean F. Hardy*
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Comments (31)
Thank you for putting a light on those who are often unseen. Brilliant poem.
Absolutely amazing poem; heartfelt words, observations, and perspective!
This is fantastic. Left me feeling a bit sad, but that is because you shined a light on homelessness, a big problem country wide. We have a large homeless population in the city I live by. (I am out in the country). Good work.
Hi there Dean THANK YOU. I have been homeless 4 times, 3 couch surfing and once on the streets. You question how you found yourself in this situation - fighting the known reality. Desperate, isolated, frightened with the loss of hope. How to survive? How to stay safe? How to find food? My source? I knew well of a large busy multi-storey shopping complex in the hub of city with a large eatery. I used to previously visit regularly when studying and working in a professional capacity. Now I would hover on the outer margins and I kept a watchful eye as people ate the multicultural offerings. When someone or a table of people stood to leave, if they had left overs I’d take a seat. Shamefully trying to disguise hoping I wouldn’t be recognised. Ever alert for my next table hop. And yes if lucky I’d drink unfinished coffee.
I like the imagery in your piece, it feels very vivid and familiar to me! Funny the places that we find inspiration, it made for a great poem. Nicely done Dean!
It sounds like day to day living when feeling sad about what is going on around.
Great work, very heart-felt and insightful
A rawness that alludes most people these days! Not only could I see the faces of dread but I could smell the coffee as it grew cold. Your writing soaks in. Can’t wait to read more of your work!
"That hollow gaze is not the expression of a life lived in comfort, it is the twisted torment of the forgotten...." What a phenomenal line.
You captured the despair so beautifully. I was wrapped up in the cadence, congratulations on Top Story!
Congrats Dean! Your words choices and placements are impressive. Rats is such a dirty sounding word and adds a great effect to this piece. And, I will never forget "This Place" One of my favorites on Vocal from the mind that we call Dean!
serenely beautiful...
This poem pulled me right in! So well expressed and such a powerful message.
The rhythm of this is so good. The piece is perfectly uncomfortable, your words are beautiful.
Excellent. Love how you have shaped this to creep off the page. Visceral and resonant.
Powerful, to say the least. "not even the rats will go" carries the message in itself. It would make a poem on its own. Have you thought of turning this piece into a song?
Extraordinary work 😉❤️🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉Congrats on your Top Story❗❗❗
I'm so glad they gave this a top story. Well deserved.
Ohhhhhh myyyyy- this was rattling. Thank you for this beautifully haunting and sobering piece. We take so much for granted. Congrats on top story- SO WELL DESERVED! 💫
You, Sir, are a wordsmith! Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition!
Your observation skills and mastery at the transposition to words with the senses is astounding, rare, and very appreciated. 🥰🥇. TS is where it belongs. Congrats.
Congratulations on Top Story, my friend :)
Very glad this is presented as Top Story-
Unfortunately this is all too true. Great observation and a beautiful way to tell it.
That was haunting. Excellent commentary in poetry form.