A brief reprieve

From the self-centered enclave

Where views become crowns

And eyes dilate with greed

A foray into the subterranean lairs of the street

The corners taken over by the dope.

Storefronts turned to cardboard condos

Where howls emanate.

Faces hidden they murmur and grunt.

The animal inside barely restrained.

Desperate for sustenance

But afraid to break in the stores.

Wondering why each one picks this spot.

Why this particular street?

Why not just walk over to a new corner?

Leave this miserable cold spot?

How long do you plan to stay here? -

You want to have a survey done.

If you are homeless

Why stay on one spot of concrete -

Begging from the same people each day -

Memorizing the cracks in the concrete?

The wind offers no answers.

A voice stares hungrily from the alley -

Some woman with a hollow heart -

Its emptiness echoing a simple melody.

Over and over the sun keeps rising.

The hours pass by

Their faces blank.

No sleep in a life on the street.

No sympathy from society.

The descent of the homeless deepens.