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Subject: HOMELESS
Matches Found: 317

606 CRIES, TAKES MYLANTA FOR HIS HANGOVER AND VOWS HE', by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Boy that's better than the stuff in the university art %museum
Subject(s): Homeless


606 HAS CONSTRUCTION SKILL. HE CAN FRAME A DOOR, USE A, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Businessmen snorting cocaine
Subject(s): Homeless


606 LOSES HIS JOB AND LANDS IN THE HOMELESS POPULATION, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Homeless not helpless', read their placards. They will %find a way
Subject(s): Homeless


A BED, by HARRY HIBBARD KEMP    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I'm glad I have a good warm bed to snuggle / in to-night
Last Line: For the winds are in the alleys and the stars are cold and bright.
Subject(s): Beds; Homeless; Poverty


ABANDONED, by JAMES ENGLISH    Poem Source                    
First Line: And put behind a big, strong gate
Subject(s): Homeless


AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, by ELIAZBETH GUION HESS    Poem Text                    
First Line: A garbage wagon, rolling / along snowy ...
Last Line: And smell and feel?
Subject(s): Homeless


AFTER THE VERDICT, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: When the verdict was read
Last Line: Flashing their blood-stained %teeth %in the photos %of lynchings
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


AGNOSTICS, by UNKNOWN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Every man has a right to be an agnostic
Subject(s): Homeless


AIN'T GOT NO HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE, by WOODY GUTHRIE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I ain't got no home
Last Line: And I ain't got no home in this world anymore
Subject(s): Homeless; Social Protest


AIN'T THIS PLACE A BITCH?, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They have nothing better to do
Last Line: & abduct homeless people %from shopping malls!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ALIBIS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They'll tell you %'I wasn't there %when he perished'
Last Line: On my way %home from %work
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ALL THE WAY TO L.A., by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: No one's seen the hobbler for awhile
Last Line: Hobbler don't need no damn train after all, %says the woman of too many days
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


AMERICA, by JAMES ENGLISH    Poem Source                    
First Line: Especially if you happen to be of a minority race
Subject(s): Homeless


AN OLD WOMAN, by JEAN KAMPSCHROEDER    Poem Text                    
First Line: I saw her as I passed her corner
Last Line: Worn, utterly weary, she was asleep.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Homeless; Old Age


ANABLEPHOBIA, by GARY ANDERSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Wandering the streets
Last Line: And thinks he'll sleep here tonight %still wanting no reply
Subject(s): Fear; Homeless


AND MY GOOD SHOES, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days is looking
Last Line: And I won't come back for it %next time
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


ANDREW, 1993, by BONNY BARRY SANDERS    Poem Source                    
First Line: First the lights went out
Last Line: Next to our neighbors for the first time %and ate our soup
Subject(s): Fire; Homeless


ANOTHER JOURNEY, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days %is in iceland
Last Line: You never know where she'll turn up next
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


ANTIPOVERTY ANTIPOETRY, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: You shouldn't be surprised %to catch a whiff %of me
Last Line: Like a crooked picture %from your present past
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ANYWHERE, NOWHERE, by JOHN WILLIAM LLOYD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, the ignominy! Oh the shame of it, the
Last Line: Forever be nowhere?
Alternate Author Name(s): Lloyd, J. William
Subject(s): Homeless; Poverty; Youth


APPROPRIATION OF A BILLY JOEL CLASSIC, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Don't go changin %your drawers %to try and %please me
Last Line: Take you %just the way %you are
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ARSONIST, by JEREMY REED    Poem Source                    
First Line: Derelict. He slept in basements
Last Line: Of flames fissure a building, turning round, %calm, with the fire reflected on his back
Subject(s): Arson; Homeless


ASHES TO ASHES, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
Last Line: I'm ashes, %remember?
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


AT ONCE, by K. KERN    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): Homeless


AWAY FROM TOWN, by HARRY HIBBARD KEMP    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: High-perched upon a boxcar, I speed, / I speed, to-day
Last Line: He longs for a place to stretch in, he hankers for country cheer.
Subject(s): Bowery, New York City; Homeless; Wandering & Wanderers; Wanderlust; Vagabonds; Tramps; Hoboes


BABE WONDERS WHAT SHE DID TO RONNIE AND NANCY, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Okay if starved, if just ordinary hungry, tasting like %alpo
Subject(s): Homeless


BABE, BROUGHT UP IN A FAMILY WHERE IT WAS AS NORMAL AS, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Until he turns mean as they do sometimes
Subject(s): Homeless


BAD ACCIDENT OF A WOMAN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: You might think I know %the woman of too many days
Last Line: She happens everywhere, %like a bad accident of a woman
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


BAD FEET AND LITTLE PIECES, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: People think pigeons like bagels %but they don't
Last Line: I wonder if a revolution can begin %on bad feet
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


BAG LADY OF SUTTON PLACE, by RENEE WEISS    Poem Source                    
First Line: In her crammed-up apartment on the 19th floor
Last Line: They circulate her always-bluer blood
Subject(s): Homeless


BEAUTIFUL SNOW, by MAJOR SIGOURNEY    Poem Text                    
First Line: Beautiful snow! Beautiful snow!
Last Line: Pity the homeless exposed to the cold, icy snow.
Subject(s): Beauty; Cold; Grief; Happiness; Homeless; Poverty; Snow; Wind; Sorrow; Sadness; Joy; Delight


BEGGAR GETS TOO PREACHY, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: If I can't make %this park bench
Last Line: Like the rich sayz: %it's all or nothing!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


BEGGAR IS A VEGETARIAN, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: If %it %wasn't %for the %fact
Last Line: I would %eat my %shoes
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


BEGGAR'S LUCK, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Where did you sleep in the country, lad?
Last Line: And drove me away with stones.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Environment; Fields; Homeless; Environmental Protection; Ecology; Conservation; Pastures; Meadows; Leas


BELIEVIN IN AIR, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Men, says the woman of too many days
Last Line: I been blue in my fingertips, ever since. %see?
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


BEVELED EDGE, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: Oh sadness, sadness beyond madness
Subject(s): Homeless


BIG HOUSE REVISITED, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Bigger thomas %wasn't suppose
Last Line: Without strings %attached %bein everybody's %big tom
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


BIRD SONG, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: So she came back from the mountains and she says
Last Line: Further than my knobby old feet could carry me
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


BORDER, by ALFREDO DE PALCHI    Poem Source                    
First Line: Incongruous consolation of being at the window
Last Line: Someone who wants to come in
Subject(s): Homeless


BOTTLE OF WINE, by CONRAD    Poem Source                    
First Line: Me and my wine, we just lay here
Subject(s): Homeless


BRACE YOURSELF, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: To keep from catching 22 colds
Last Line: But brace yourself! %nothing's permanent
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


BROKE MIRROR IMAGE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Those that murder me %say that I'm responsible
Last Line: Plasters %onto the back %of their minds
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


BUD SAYS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO CALL MY OWN ON THIS, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Look out, sleeping america!
Subject(s): Homeless


BURNT OFFERING AT THE BABALAO, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: He committed suicide
Last Line: That he was just %a janitor
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


CALAMITIES: ANOTHER EDEN, by LINDA GREGG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Out beyond what we imagine
Last Line: And leave into the questing
Subject(s): Homeless; Travel


CALGARY STATION, by ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dazzled by sun and drugged by space
Last Line: While a new nation clamors at our gate!
Subject(s): Calgary, Canada; Homeless; Poverty; Travel; Journeys; Trips


CHARITY, by CORTNEY DAVIS    Poem Source                    
First Line: A woman lies on the floor
Last Line: Like a flame, while around us %the homeless shivered
Subject(s): Charity; Homeless; Poetry And Poets; Sickness


CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I cherish %public displays %of affection
Last Line: A broken jaw %and caved in chest
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


CHASING THE HOLY GHOSTS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Religion wasn't enough
Last Line: For him; so he began %drinking heavily
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


CHILDREN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Children are curious %about the woman of too many days
Last Line: They back away from her like adults do %who discover they've attracted pigeons
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


CINDERELLA 1993 STYLE, by MORRIS WEISSMAN    Poem Source                    
First Line: She stoops over the garbage bin; examines
Last Line: As I saw her today, %stooped over a garbage bin, selecting
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


COLD GROUND WAS MY BED LAST NIGHT, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Start again it will be grand
Subject(s): Homeless


COME AND GET IT, by JOHN KRIEBEL    Poem Source                    
First Line: Here's a hot meal
Last Line: Now repeat after me
Subject(s): Homeless


COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Do you know me? %I'm that smell
Last Line: Hasn't fought %for me
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


COMPASSION, by RALPH ERNEST WEBBER    Poem Text                    
First Line: I cannot reap a profit's gain
Last Line: And end the night in shame, afraid.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Compassion; Homeless; Hunger


CONFESSIONS OF A FLAGELLANT, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Sometimes %my own %body odor
Last Line: Guard %hose me %down %good
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


CONFESSIONS OF A URINAL, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: One of the worse feelings %besides eating
Last Line: Is when your %socks %fall
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


CONNOISSEUR'S GUIDE TO THE BAY AREA: 2. WILL WORK FOR GOOD FOOD, by GILBERT SORRENTINO    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: They often walk out of the fog
Last Line: The stinking saintly homeless? Well!
Subject(s): Food And Eating; Homeless


CONTENTION, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm content with the sky being blue
Last Line: I'm content with the rain & the grave off my back
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


CONVERSATION WITH MYSELF ON THE CURB, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: It's not that I loathe %posturepedic beds
Last Line: Of neighborhood youth %setting my clothes on fire
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


CONVERSATIONS WITH JOB, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Jobs? %we all have jobs
Last Line: You feel %uncomfortable
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


COSTUME TALK, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Sometimes, %you can find the woman of too many days
Last Line: For awhile and playin their costume talk %like it was for real
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Nothin grows up faster than a vacant lot
Last Line: Only that crimes against humanity %make fertile soil
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


CRY OF THE HOMELESS, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Instigator of the ruin
Last Line: Till death dark thee with his pall.'
Subject(s): Homeless; World War I; First World War


DAY ON EARTH, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days %informs me this morning at the bus stop
Last Line: Trees harbored in iron cages %concede their leaves %in rain
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


DEJA VU AGAIN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I ask the woman of too many days %it she knows what deja vu is
Last Line: You go mean just lookin at it
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


DESOLATION, by SETH RICHARDSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: A foghorn deep unseen
Subject(s): Homeless


DICTIONARY OF TERMINOLOGY, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: It's got to help you out %a bit
Last Line: W/ a squeegee %creating my own %job
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


DIET TO DIE FOR, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I live on air %and ashes
Last Line: Of dirty needles %drinking %my %tears
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


DIRE REAR, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I've been rejected %and evicted so many
Last Line: Times, I shit doorknobs
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


DISCOURSE ON SANITY &WELL BEING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm on edge %because I'm on the ledge
Last Line: And what I need %to keep on breathing
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


DOC SEYMOUR HANGS OUT AT RAINBOW VILLAGE THE DAY, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Howie the harp runs the oakland drop in center
Subject(s): Homeless


DOUBLE DECKER, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Good enough to eat, %the woman of too many days says
Last Line: A double decker on a sugar cone
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


DOWN IN PEOPLE'S PARK THEY'RE HAVING A RUMBLE, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: To cappucino and no bed
Subject(s): Homeless


DRASTIC DARK, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The bureaucracies of monopoly capitalism
Last Line: That's trying %to keep %beating
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


DUMMY, by EARL R. KEENER    Poem Source                    
First Line: The dummy beneath the bridge
Last Line: I stole his shirt. It was something I needed %and he wasn't going to stop me
Subject(s): Homeless


DYSENTERY FOR BEGINNERS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Just as bowls %evict shit
Last Line: Like capitalism %is a brutal %motherfucker
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ELEPHANT GOES MAD IN DULUTH, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I read in the papers the other day
Last Line: The circus would never be the same
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


EXTENDED REMIX, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They follow you %to the grave
Last Line: Which neglected %to pay back %your loans!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FAT-FREE SUGGESTIONS FROM THE STATE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Wash the soot off your rusty ass
Last Line: Strain the fat from your water %shower %shit %shave
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FATE OF A WOULD-BE FEMINIST OBSERVED FROM A STREET CORNER, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: She was abducted %by traffic cops
Last Line: For pronouncing %menage a trois %mangy twat
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FIGHTING FIRE, by MINNIE BRUCE PRATT            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: First the fire engines shake the night, the red blare
Last Line: Blazes up, light flickers over mouths shut on the word / nothing
Subject(s): Fire; Homeless


FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: You see me as %a puddle of piss
Last Line: That says %this could %be %you
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FIVE POINTS, 1838, by LAUGHTON OSBORN    Poem Text                    
First Line: Fast by the dike, where frown the granite eaves
Last Line: In laurens street, the southern side of broom.
Subject(s): Five Points, New York City; Homeless; Hunger; New York City - 19th Century


FOR A WAITRESS, by ROBERTA D'ALOIS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Fatty meat on a dirty grill
Subject(s): Homeless


FOR MOMS, by LYNN MANNING    Poem Source                    
First Line: Somebody asked me the other day
Last Line: She's doing 'reeeaal' good
Subject(s): Homeless; Mothers; Poverty; Social Problems


FOR POETS WHO WANNA BE COMEDIANS WHEN WE DYIN &AIN'T A DAMN THING...., by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Oh ha ha hee hee %hoo hoo ho ho
Last Line: -ha-ha-ha- %ain't that a bitch %we dyin
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FORECAST, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: In my youth %I aspired to be %a weatherman
Last Line: From head to toe %in skin flakes
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FORTUNE COOKIES FOR THE RICH, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: After every meal %may you be overcome
Last Line: & see things %from my %perspective
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FREE DRY, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days says she got the free dry yesterday
Last Line: There's nothin like it in this town
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


FURTHER COMPLAINTS FROM AN UNGRATEFUL TENANT, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Eviction %eviction %what's your %prescription
Last Line: Except for dogs %they always leave %something
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


FURTHER DELIBERATIONS ON DEATH, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: All rise! %this court is now in session
Last Line: At a later date %if need be %order in the court!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


GATHERING OF OLD WINOS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: -my first wife %was a pack of pall malls
Last Line: She got her own self pregnant %and delivered the baby as well
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Fascism is a virtual reality
Last Line: To be so %unfortunate
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


GOOD THIEF SPEAKS AGAIN, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I guess you're wondering %what I'm doing
Last Line: But from here on end: %consider me a political prisoner
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


GREEN SHOES, by MICHAEL WATERS    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Those green shoes on the curb
Last Line: Fortune in the unblinking sunlight
Subject(s): Homeless; Idleness; Poverty


HALF A LIFE AGO THE BLOOM WAS ON THE ROSE, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: When your heart is still battered and bruised
Subject(s): Homeless


HAND-ME_DOWNS RIGHT OVER, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I often wear %dead people's clothes
Last Line: In exchange %for a %quarter
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


HANDOUTS FROM THE CHURCH, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: It must be sobering %to know that
Last Line: It must be sobering %not having to see me
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


HANGING OUT IN ASHTRAYS BEING HOMELESS, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Back to the shelter
Subject(s): Homeless


HEAD DOWN, by BRENDAN KENNELLY    Poem Source                    
First Line: He knows he can't play the flute
Last Line: He'll have enough to pay for bite and bed
Subject(s): Begging And Beggars; Cities; Homeless; Music And Musicians


HEART, by DORIANNE LAUX    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The heart shifts shape of its own accord-from bird to ax
Subject(s): Hearts; Homeless; Kindness; Poverty; Women


HEART, by DORIANNE LAUX    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The heart shifts shape of its own accord-from bird to ax
Last Line: Cop-on-the-beat heart with its black billy club, %banging on the lid
Subject(s): Hearts; Homeless; Kindness; Poverty; Women


HIGHLIGHTS OF A BEGGAR'S RESUME, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: His high school %senior class
Last Line: Bottles %to make %a full beer
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


HOBBLER, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The hobbler wears a bandana around his head
Last Line: He throws cigarette butts at the pigeons, %and they peck at his toes
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


HOMELESS, by DANIELA CRASNARU    Poem Source                    
First Line: In another reality
Last Line: Feeling, for the first time, homeless
Subject(s): Homeless


HOMELESS, by JORGE HERNANDEZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: The years wear %an unsized shoe
Last Line: As to give me your little sandals
Subject(s): Homeless; Poverty


HOMELESS, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: No room of his own
Last Line: Come instead.
Subject(s): Homeless


HOMELESS, by ELIZA KEARY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Without a home at holy christmas-tide
Last Line: Hide in god's heart, beloved, that great home is yours.
Subject(s): Christmas; Homeless; Nativity, The


HOMELESS, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: It is cold dark midnight, yet listen
Last Line: And dives neglects him still.
Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary
Subject(s): England; Homeless; Poverty; English


HOMELESS, by JOHN BANISTER TABB    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Methinks that if my spirit could behold
Last Line: Nor breathe one sigh of pity to return?
Alternate Author Name(s): Father Tabb
Subject(s): Homeless


HOMELESS BELOW THE BRIDGE, by WILLIAM FORD    Poem Source                    
First Line: They cry out in their longing
Last Line: I've seen them, below the bridge
Subject(s): Homeless


HOMELESS COMPLEYNT, by ALLEN GINSBERG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Pardon me buddy, I didn't mean to bug you
Last Line: Wiping your windshield with a dirty rag
Subject(s): Homeless; Insects; Veterans; Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975; Bugs


HOMELESS COMPLEYNT, by ALLEN GINSBERG    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Pardon me buddy, I didn't mean to bug you
Last Line: Wiping your windshield with a dirty rag
Subject(s): Homeless; Insects


HOMELESS IN THE EIGHTIES, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
First Line: In reagansvilles %the homeless stamp their feet
Last Line: Kenny asks for yardwork. Brings a ladder he swiped
Subject(s): Homeless


HOMELESS MEN, by KATHERINE GUNN DAME    Poem Text                    
First Line: It is night / warm fires glow within
Last Line: Tramping an unfriendly street.
Subject(s): Dreams; Homeless; Life; Wandering & Wanderers; Nightmares; Wanderlust; Vagabonds; Tramps; Hoboes


HOMELESS SUE COPS FOR KIDNAPPING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: In the wealthiest cities %in the richest country
Last Line: Abduct rich people %off downtown streets
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


HOP A TRAIN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The other day the hobbler %was telling the woman of too many days
Last Line: You can't hop trains anymore. %they're faster now
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


HORIZONTAL SNAPSHOTS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: A big %buzz %w/ propellers
Last Line: Snapshots %from an epileptic %eyelash
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


HOT-COALS SHUFFLE, by JACQUELINE DE WEEVER    Poem Source                    
First Line: The sudden ammonia of days'-old urine
Last Line: Some rags are more of soul than body
Subject(s): Class Struggle; Homeless


HUNGER, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Each day my shadow %loses weight
Last Line: With little %or no choices
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


HUSTLERS AND MOOCHERS, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: I don't mind a good con job
Subject(s): Homeless


I CREATE MY OWN JOB, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I collect tips %at atms
Last Line: Hey, dude, %all life does %is prolong death' %and slaps me five
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


I DO TOO, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I know some of you %would like %to throw
Last Line: For something %I do too
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


I GIVE UP, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm really fucked and
Subject(s): Homeless


I GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN, by MICHAEL DAVID WILSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Young women are not
Subject(s): Homeless


I PUT EM DOWN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The next time I see her, %the woman of too many days has no bags
Last Line: She is appearing at proctor's, she informs me. %tonight. A solo performance
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


IN CITY STREETS, by ADA SMITH    Poem Text                    
First Line: Yonder in the heather there's a bed for sleeping
Last Line: Through the peaty soil and tinkling heather-bells.
Subject(s): Country Life; Homeless; Homesickness; London


IN FRONT OF THE LIBRARY, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days %is sitting on the sculpture in front of the library
Last Line: But that only happens to a few
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


IN MEMORIAM, RAY THOMPSON (1943-1990), by JACK HIRSCHMAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Of the streets, / of begging hands and windblown cardboard
Last Line: Never-ending memory of his ascendings
Subject(s): San Francisco; Homeless; Poetry & Poets


IN OTHER NEWS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Clarence thomas declares: %'I'm no uncle tom!!!'
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


IN THE METRO, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Around here %you don't know %what will take %you out
Last Line: In this life %death has %many dis %guises
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


IN THE NINETEEN FIFTIES THEY DEINSTITUTIONALIZED THE, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Made such a scary sound
Subject(s): Homeless


INCIDENT IN KEY BANK, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I hear the woman of too many days %got put away
Last Line: But I hear that was her alright, %right in the middle of things
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


INCUBUS, by DAVID FERRY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The young man who goes about all muffled up from harm,
Subject(s): Homeless


INNER LIGHT, by K. KERN    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): Homeless


INSIDE LOOKS BETTER FROM THE OUTSIDE, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I ask the woman of too many days %how she stands it in the winter
Last Line: So she saves it for special occasions
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE GUILLOTINE FOR THOSE WHO CRAVE NICOTINE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They got a %cure & a pill
Last Line: Capitalism is more hazardous %to your health any day
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


IT'S ON YOU OR MAYBE ON HIM, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: Does man propose and god dispose
Subject(s): Homeless


IT'S YOUR WORLD; THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: First, you thought I was all wrong
Subject(s): Homeless


JIVE BITCH WITH THE POOL STICK, by WELDON KENNEDY    Poem Source                    
First Line: I was standing around
Subject(s): Homeless


JOEL WAS IN VIET NAM, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Fugitive for an act of violence done %in honor
Subject(s): Homeless


JOY OF SOCKS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I once gave %a pair of socks
Last Line: To put them on %his burning bleeding feet
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


JUDGE ME NOT, by JAMES ENGLISH    Poem Source                    
First Line: For who is to say what is right or wrong
Subject(s): Homeless


JUDGMENT & CRITICISM, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I know, I know: %my reputation precedes me
Last Line: Take your time, %I don't mean to pester you
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


JUST WAITING FOR THE FORTY BUS, THERE'S NEVER NOTHING THERE, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Just waiting for the forty bus to don't know where
Subject(s): Homeless


JUXTAPOSITIONS, by JACQUELINE DE WEEVER    Poem Source                    
First Line: To the power of the wind
Last Line: The footsteps pass - pause %pass
Subject(s): Homeless


KARMIC NEWS FLASH, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: A twins tower %five alarm fire
Last Line: &roasting marshmellows %with rodents %in their mouths
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


KENNY STEALS THE FILMAKER'S CAMERA, SELLS IT TO A MOTEL, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Find her fritos or m and ms or whatever her heart %desired
Subject(s): Homeless


LARK AND WASHINGTON, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: At this time of day %not even the pigeon people
Last Line: That puts its hands all over them, %can't come out here
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


LAST REQUEST, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: In the event %that I shit
Last Line: Off my feet %on the white house lawn
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


LAW, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I can't panhandle in the subway
Last Line: Nor can I %afford %to die
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


LAZY RUSS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I've walked %through %many rooms
Last Line: Open wound %of street graters
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


LEAVING MY ROOMMATES IN NEW YORK, by RUTH STONE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Snow falls upon snow fastening its delicate hooks
Last Line: To the subliminal sounds of ermines living in the lath.
Subject(s): Homeless; New York City; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple


LECTURE ON ART & EATING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: In the new york winter %which lasts 12 months
Last Line: It beats eating %glass
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


LETTER THAT HOLDS HER UP, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days holds a letter in both hands
Last Line: Not right, %but good enough to move on
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


LIFE IS A DANCE, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Life is a dance, says the woman of too many days
Last Line: I can tell a dancer
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


LIKE REAL DOVES, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days says she read in the paper
Last Line: They wear the city's suit
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


LILA'S WORD, HER VIGIL, by ELAINE TERRANOVA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There are no windows
Last Line: Like great chords of music
Subject(s): Homeless Shelters


LISTENER, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I asked the woman of too many days
Last Line: Just the things it falls upon
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


LITTLE FEET, by LUCILA GODOY ALCAYAGA    Poem Source                    
First Line: O tiny feet of children
Last Line: And see you not?
Subject(s): Children; Feet; Homeless; Poverty; Roads


LITTLE TIN FINGERS, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days
Last Line: And it never brought her solace
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


LOSS OF HABITAT, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days
Last Line: If I was an owl, they'd think twice about this, she says
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


MAN SLEEPING, by JANE KENYON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Large flakes of snow fall slowly, far
Last Line: Or like abel, broken, at his brother’s feet
Subject(s): Homeless


MAN SO BEAUTIFUL, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I loved a man so beautiful I had to leave him
Last Line: I'd bring him somethin fine
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


MANGOS, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days is eating a mango
Last Line: Like the smoke %when your man leaves the room
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


MAP IS NOT THE TERRITORY, by CHRIS SEMANSKY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Once when the roof flew off
Last Line: A savage, had a dozen children, and died, %years later, of a common cold gone wild, %his memory clea
Subject(s): Homeless; Maps


MARGIN, by BRENDAN KENNELLY    Poem Source                    
First Line: In the city of caricature and mocking distortion
Last Line: Mortal and venial sin
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless; Religion


MATTIE DRINKS, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Wonders when her life will turn
Subject(s): Homeless


MEMORIES OF EATING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Once for lunch %I mauled %a lady's %shoe
Last Line: Leafing through %for wall street journal
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


MONOTONY OF A HUNGER ARTIST, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Playing my ribcage like a xylophone for quarters
Last Line: I work my way from subway car to subway car
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


MORE QUESTIONS FOR THE PETTY BOURGEOISIE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Did you ever %ride an elevator %with piss %in it
Last Line: Staring outside the window %of your favorite restaurant %at me
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


MOUTH OF PAVEMENT, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Poetry shouldn't %lobotomize you %like marlpan
Last Line: Something to count on
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


MOVIE STAR PETER AT THE SUPPER FOR STREET PEOPLE, by DAVID FERRY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The style a form of concealment the way style is.
Subject(s): Homeless; Actors & Actresses; Actresses


MY MOTHER? I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT MY MOTHER, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: One day %she opened %the freezer
Last Line: She died %of lone %li %ness
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


MY SKIN OVERTAKES ME, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: When I was young, %the woman of too many days says
Last Line: Just like that girl over there
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


NIGHT FISHIN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: My sister and me learned night fishin
Last Line: Long as she's gone, I know her that way
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


NO FREE LUNCHES, by ROBERT R. HENTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: What shall we do with the homeless
Subject(s): No Free Lunches; Homeless


NO PLACE LIKE HOME, by JOHN KRIEBEL    Poem Source                    
First Line: People were meant to have homes
Last Line: Who's kidding whom?
Subject(s): Homeless


NO ROOM, by WINNIFRED ELLIOT    Poem Text                    
First Line: Across a wintry windswept plain
Last Line: No room in men's hearts is a sadder thing!
Subject(s): Children; Homeless; Hunger; Childhood


NO ROOM IN HOSPITALS NOW, FEW HALFWAY HOUSES, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: And now is sitting pretty except for the noise, the rats %and the roaches
Subject(s): Homeless


NOBODY KNOWS, by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KING    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Nobody knows when de col' winds am blowin'
Last Line: An' bime-by de lo'd'll tell humanity ter free 'em.
Alternate Author Name(s): King, Ben
Subject(s): Homeless; Poverty


NOCTURNE OF 1933, by ELIOT WHITE    Poem Text                    
First Line: West twenty-third street on a windy night
Last Line: "dear heaven! -- 'twas ""home sweet home"" the old man played!"
Subject(s): Homeless


NOT BRUEGHEL BUT BRUTAL, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Judging from the portraits %they paint
Last Line: I was made %of air
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


NOTHING TO COME BACK FOR, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days %is a traveler of vacant lots
Last Line: Still fat from the child they ate, %right down to her shoes
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


NOW THEY'RE TORN DOWN, FELL DOWN, DISMANTLED, RUINED, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Proud that he has his rolled up piece of thick foam to %place under her
Subject(s): Homeless


OLD CLOTHES IN A CLOSET, by CONRAD    Poem Source                    
First Line: I woke up this morning
Subject(s): Homeless


OLD WOMAN, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The owl-car clatters along, dogged by the echo
Last Line: Homeless.
Subject(s): Homeless; Old Age; Women


ON MARRIAGE & LIVING HAPPILY EVER AFTER, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Like you %I too %would like %to get married %and settle down
Last Line: An annulment %from my previous %relationship
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ON THE RISE OF THE POLICE FORCE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They put a uniform %on any old psychopath
Last Line: A couple of bullets %in your mouth
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ONE DAY WHEN I AM BOSS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Maybe one day %I will end up
Last Line: Or the model t %or even the capitalist himself!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


OTHERS, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I tell the woman of too many days %I heard about the incident
Last Line: Donovan. Emile and little sarah. %the mushrooms
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


OUT OF THE RAIN, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: Such an easy thing to say
Subject(s): Homeless


OUTSIDE THE TOYSHOP, by JANE BARLOW    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Beside the door they stand, anear the pane
Last Line: Shall manhood's craving miss even these poor crumbs?
Subject(s): Bread; Food & Eating; Homeless; Hunger; Poverty


OUTSIDER, by JOHN PEPPER CLARK    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A disinterested act, stumbled on
Last Line: I teeter between rage and scorn
Alternate Author Name(s): Clark-bekederemo, J. P.; Clark, J. P.
Subject(s): Homeless; Hunger; Weariness


PALM READING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
Last Line: It's empty
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


PARK BENCH, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I live on a park bench
Last Line: Move on over %to park avenue?
Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston
Subject(s): African Americans; Homeless; Social Protest


PERSONAL NOTES, ETC., by SETH RICHARDSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: I seek the dreams
Subject(s): Homeless


PICTURES OF BROKE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The great poet %william carlos %williams
Last Line: No %place %like %home
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


PIGEONS, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days and pigeons
Last Line: Or where she or the pigeons go %at night
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


PLAYERS, by JOHN PEPPER CLARK    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Union of blood or need, boy and girl
Last Line: In her eyes is not of the wind
Alternate Author Name(s): Clark-bekederemo, J. P.; Clark, J. P.
Subject(s): Begging And Beggars; Homeless; Poverty


POEM FOR SHELTER, by GEORGE MACKAY BROWN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: Who has set his house among the stars?
Last Line: The wanderers wait, the breakers of icicles, %the homeless ones
Subject(s): Homeless


POEM, TO DIOGENES, by SANDOR CSOORI    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tell me, who today would notice
Last Line: Would lick your hands hanging out of the tub
Subject(s): Homeless


POETIC EXCHANGE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Q. You grow dreads?
Last Line: A. The only thing I grow %is hungry
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


POETRY SPEAKS TO ME, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Packed in snow %like fish %in a korean market
Last Line: Walking walking %on you grave %face
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


POOR ARE NEVER WITH US, by FREDERICK FOOTE    Poem Source                    
First Line: They disappear
Last Line: The poor are never with us: they don't remain
Subject(s): Homeless


POOR IN CHURCH, by PRESTON MERCHANT    Poem Source                    
First Line: Between corner pews warmed by their breath
Last Line: Dip yellow fingers into holy water
Subject(s): Homeless; Religion


PRETTY HANDSOME, YOU THINK IMPORTANT, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm not vain, it's true
Subject(s): Homeless


PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I have to %bottle my %burps
Last Line: When I had %food
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


PUBLIC EXECUTIONS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Like jesus %who died %for our sins
Last Line: I am %always persecuted
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


PUNCH IS AS, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: An unwashed sonata of vagrant dreams
Subject(s): Homeless


RACE & CLASS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: There was a time %when I had
Last Line: What they call %progress?
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


RECIPE FOR MURDER, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: In this racket %you can't lose
Last Line: Like your %life %depends %on it
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


RESURRECTION, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I was evicted %from my grave
Last Line: Upon my name %&lifelong %ending day
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


RETABLO, by PABLO MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The park bench is unoccupied
Last Line: Tomorrow is christmas
Subject(s): Cuba; Exiles; Homeless; Marriage; U.s. - Immigration And Emigration


RULE NO. 1 ON WHAT NOT TO SAY WHEN PANHANDLING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I just need %some money
Last Line: Sticking out %of my forehead
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SARAH ALLEN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days comes to the albany rural cemetery
Last Line: And says the names that sound like prayers
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


SCENES FROM THE PEOPLE'S COURT, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: What a homeless woman %told the judge at her hearing
Last Line: Call your %next witness!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SECOND THOUGHTS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Maybe I %would've been %better off
Last Line: A simple scratch %in the memory %of her uterus
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SELF-PORTRAIT: NOVEMBER, by SANDY LONGHORN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Walking home in the first hard freeze
Last Line: To the metallic bite of birch bark and rust in my throat
Subject(s): Homeless; Hunger; Portraits; Solitude; Winter


SERMON ON THE MOUNT, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: One day %the rich were bored
Last Line: With a year's supply of toilet paper
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SEVEN DAYS IN MAY, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: On monday he died %on tuesday they folded up his bones
Last Line: He went back to work again
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SHAPES, by RUTH STONE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the longer view it doesn't matter
Last Line: At the farthest edge; accepting that blur.
Subject(s): Grief; Homeless; Loss; Sympathy; Sorrow; Sadness; Empathy


SHE DOESN'T ASK FOR MONEY, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: If you're looking for the woman of too many days
Last Line: Her bags are like pollen sacs. %she's self contained
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


SIDEWALK SHUFFLE, by KENNETH M. ROY    Poem Source                    
First Line: Blowing snows and bowling shoes
Last Line: They seek a blanket. Cover them
Subject(s): Homeless


SIN CITY, U.S.A., by WELDON KENNEDY    Poem Source                    
First Line: You meet the pimps and whores
Subject(s): Homeless


SNAIL, by ROLF JACOBSEN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Little, peaceful wanderer of the grassblades
Last Line: Little friend in the grass, he who wanders %on a kiss
Subject(s): Homeless; Wanderers And Wandering


SNAP, CRACKLE, POP, by MICHAEL DAVID WILSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: The jewish be-bop
Subject(s): Homeless


SNAPSHOTS OF A BEGGAR'S DIFFICULT LIFE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: A blind man %was leading %a blind dog %by the nose %bleeding
Last Line: On a bed %of nails %dreaming of food
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SOLO PERFORMANCE, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days is appearing at proctor's
Last Line: And no one knows when to applaud or leave
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


SOME HISTORY, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The hobbler and the woman of too many days
Last Line: But she won't say
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


SONG OF MARVELS, by WILLIAM STANLEY MERWIN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The day is down
Last Line: All for the love of patience
Alternate Author Name(s): Merwin, W. S.
Subject(s): Begging And Beggars; Homeless; Patience


SONG OF THE NEW FOOL, by WILLIAM STANLEY MERWIN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Let the sea and all her women
Last Line: And my hands are tender
Alternate Author Name(s): Merwin, W. S.
Subject(s): Child Care; Food And Eating; Homeless; Hunger; Poverty


SONNY ANSWERS: I DREAMED I LIVED IN MARBLE HALLS, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Back then, back then
Subject(s): Homeless


SORREL HORSE, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I heard this, but I don't believe it
Last Line: But it's funny how stories get around
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


SORROW, by JAMES ENGLISH    Poem Source                    
First Line: Clean like a season without any reason
Subject(s): Homeless


SPIDER RIDE, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: More and more now %the woman of too many days talks crazy
Last Line: Thinking I meet myself %in the strangest places
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


SPIRIT OF THE STREET, by TIM DIVITO    Poem Source                    
First Line: There is no fragrance of sweet roses on the streets
Last Line: To give warmth and compassion to a homeless soul
Subject(s): Homeless


SPOON RIVER GARLAND: 7. HOMELESSNESS, by MICHAEL JOSEPH BUGEJA    Poem Source                    
First Line: As indicators go, so go the people
Last Line: I ceased to be before I ceased to be
Subject(s): Homeless


SPRITE'S SONG, by MARGARET SACKVILLE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: On lonely heights, / which a faint moon lights
Last Line: You must just let me go again!
Subject(s): Homeless; Solitude; Loneliness


SSI BABY DON'T CRY, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Landslide we were flying and the day ended
Subject(s): Homeless


STATE CERTIFICATION, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They stalk you %with pencils %and ball-point pens
Last Line: And every day %is a drag
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


STRANGER IN YOUR LAND, by CHAMP MEANS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Walking down the city sidewalks
Subject(s): Homeless


STREET MUSICIANS, by JOHN ASHBERY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: One died, and the soul was wrenched out
Subject(s): Music & Musicians; Homeless


SUBWAY CAR SEMINAR, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Don't take offense %if I don't smile
Last Line: You don't %take me %home
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SUICIDE IS A LUXURY I COULD DO WITHOUT!, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Some people ask me %how I do it
Last Line: Let alone %doing it
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SUNRISE, by FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis            
First Line: The sunrise of new york
Last Line: As though recently rescued from a shipwreck of blood
Subject(s): Homeless; New York City - Streets; Poverty


SUSAN IS HOMELESS TOO, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: The ones who didn't have med-I-cal couldn't fill their %prescriptions
Subject(s): Homeless


SWEEPING, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The other day I saw the hobbler %sweeping the sidewalk
Last Line: But the next day he wasn't there
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


SYMPATHY FROM THE DIARY OF A HUNGER ARTIST, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I should've left you %to your book
Last Line: I'm not the one %holding your soul %for ransom
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


SYRUP SWEET, by UNKNOWN    Poem Source                    
First Line: Thrift, thrift
Subject(s): Homeless


TAX MAN, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days %says how she visited her tax man the other day
Last Line: Like some family members %you didn't know you had
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


TEN COMMANDMENTS OF A STREET POET, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Let all books be remaindered for a dollar
Last Line: Don't let the 20th century end with a panel discussion
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


THANKSGIVING, by JAMES ENGLISH    Poem Source                    
First Line: A crust of bread and a corner to sleep in
Subject(s): Homeless


THE BEGGAR, by GRACE DENIO LITCHFIELD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: All day, all the day, in the dust, in the heat
Last Line: These cry out unheard, and must die on the street.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Charity; Homeless; Money; Poverty; Philanthropy


THE CASTAWAYS, by CLAUDE MCKAY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The vivid grass with visible delight
Alternate Author Name(s): Edwards, Eli
Subject(s): Nature; Homeless


THE CHURCH ORGAN, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis            
First Line: The homeless man has heard thy voice
Last Line: Ere we made second homes or none.
Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H.
Subject(s): Homeless


THE EDGE OF DOOM, by ALICE CARY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Heartsick, homeless, weak, and weary
Last Line: Even as leah, to the land.
Subject(s): Women; Homeless; Grief


THE FERRY, by MINNIE BRUCE PRATT            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Today, she tells the woman close beside her, I saw a man
Last Line: Today, she tells the woman close beside her, I saw a man
Subject(s): Homeless


THE GUEST ELLEN AT THE SUPPER FOR STREET PEOPLE, by DAVID FERRY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The unclean spirits cry out in the body
Subject(s): Homeless


THE HAG, by JAMES OPPENHEIM    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The old hag sat on the park bench, picking her teeth
Last Line: And see what else the world means.
Subject(s): Homeless; Old Age; Women


THE HOMELESS, by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sad hearts! The wayside and the wilderness
Last Line: And lo! The rapture of the home above!
Alternate Author Name(s): Dean
Subject(s): Homeless


THE HOMELESS POOR, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Calm the city lay in midnight silence
Last Line: In thy homeless ones to succor thee.
Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary
Subject(s): Angels; Homeless; Poverty; Prayer; Religion; Theology


THE KING DINES; IMPRESSION, by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Two people on a bench in boston commons
Last Line: Of the day round him for his dining-room.
Alternate Author Name(s): Howells, W. D.
Subject(s): Boston Common; Food & Eating; Homeless


THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL, by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It was biting cold, and the falling snow
Last Line: A bright reward for all the hardships she suffered here.
Subject(s): Child Molesting; Homeless; Hunger; Pain; Poverty; Child Abuse; Suffering; Misery


THE PAUPER, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The sad and seedy pauper has no one for a
Last Line: The kettle boil; for visions all are bootless which are not backed by toil.
Subject(s): Begging & Beggars; Homeless; Idleness; Poverty; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 245, by HAN SHAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The homeless people I know
Last Line: They wander forever content
Alternate Author Name(s): Kanzan; Hanshan; Han-shan
Subject(s): Buddhism; Chinese Literature; Contentment; Homeless; Buddha; Buddhists


THE RED BOX AT VESEY STREET, by HENRY CUYLER BUNNER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Past the red box at vesey street
Last Line: Through the red box at vesey street.
Subject(s): Homeless; Kindness; New York City - Streets; Poverty


THE SLEEPERS, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis            
First Line: As I walked down the waterside
Last Line: And long before their time they die.
Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H.
Subject(s): Homeless; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE SNOW, by ANNIE MATHESON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When freezing winter smites the whirling globe
Last Line: In all the universe of star and sun?
Subject(s): Cold; Death; Graves; Homeless; Snow; Winter; Dead, The; Tombs; Tombstones


THE SORROW OF THE HOUSE OF LIR, by WILLIAM SHARP    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Happy our father lir afar
Last Line: Homeless we are from shore to shore.
Alternate Author Name(s): Macleod, Fiona
Subject(s): Birds; Brothers; Homeless; Magic; Mythology - Celtic; Pain; Swans; Half-brothers; Suffering; Misery


THE STREET LAMP, by WILLIAM ROSE BENET    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Homes stand in slumber. Sleep broods shadowingly
Last Line: Sadly you wane. How sad, and oh, how wise!
Subject(s): Abandonment; Cities; Grief; Homeless; Poverty; Desertion; Urban Life; Sorrow; Sadness


THE UNDER VOICE, by JEAN VALENTINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: I saw streaming up out of the sidewalk the homeless women and men
Subject(s): Homeless


THE WIND, by LOUIS MERCIER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: All last night and all day long
Last Line: He moves off. They can hear him in the leaves.
Subject(s): Homeless; Storms; Weather; Wind


THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF EL HUMS, by EDWARD LEAR    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: In the roads and the lanes of el hums
Subject(s): Homeless; Hunger; Old Age


THERE'S TROUBLE EVERYWHERE, by CHARLIE SMITH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There the blind man and his personal dark
Subject(s): Blindness; Homeless; City & Town Life; Visually Handicapped


THEY ARE UNDERCOVER AGENTS, by MICHAEL PORTER    Poem Source                    
Subject(s): Homeless


THEY DON'T EVEN TAKE SHELTER, by KJELL ESPMARK    Poem Source                    
First Line: What an endless procession towards the city
Last Line: Those at the front, approaching the merciless gates %are already walking into their invisibility
Subject(s): Homeless; Migration; Poverty


THEY SEEK SHELTER, by KJELL ESPMARK    Poem Source                    
First Line: The commissioner and his suite
Last Line: That you promise us a place in reality %some day in a remotechronology?
Subject(s): Homeless


THIS JUST IN: THE MAYOR HANDS OUT $100 FINES FOR ANYONE CAUGHT ......, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm always %on the outs %it seems
Last Line: Getting used to %the tar &feathers
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


THORNS AND BEES, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: Life was all up in me, then, %says the woman of too many days
Last Line: Wind's goin to have to bring me down
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


THROUGH THE CLEAR GLASS, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The clink of glass %through windowpane
Last Line: &write it off %on your taxes
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


THROWN OUT, by DIETER WESLOWSKI    Poem Source                    
First Line: Good for them
Last Line: No more handouts from %the forsythia hedges
Subject(s): Homeless


TO AN OLD BLACK WOMAN, HOMELESS AND INDISTINCT, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Your every day is a pilgrimage
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Homeless; Women – Old Age


TO AN OLD BLACK WOMAN, HOMELESS AND INDISTINCT, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Your every day is a pilgrimage
Last Line: Folks used to say 'that child is going far'
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Homeless


TO DON JUAN BAZ, EX-GOV. OF MEXICO, by MARY TUCKER LAMBERT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Welcome, stranger! Glad I greet thee
Last Line: Of sad thoughts that swell thy heart.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tucker, Mary Eliza Perine
Subject(s): Homeless; Mexico


TO RISE ABOVE THE LIFE ON THE STREET, by TIM DIVITO    Poem Source                    
First Line: Alone and sitting in an alley
Last Line: Not even by the devil in the shopping carts
Subject(s): Homeless


TO THE MOUNTAINS, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The woman of too many days %is going to the mountains
Last Line: Has no intentions of making a reservation
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


TO WISH AND NOT WISH, by MORRIS PELTZ    Poem Source                    
First Line: I wish that I had never bothered
Subject(s): Homeless


TODAY I AM DOCILE, by SETH RICHARDSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: I once was a killer
Subject(s): Homeless


TOUCH THEM, WARM ANGELS, by JOHN KRIEBEL    Poem Source                    
First Line: Give them shelter, angels
Last Line: And warmth, and peace
Subject(s): Homeless


TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 2. ETERNAL HUNGER, by EDWARD CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Eternal hunger! O through the black night
Last Line: Gaze long in silence, friend; gaze long for all are thine
Subject(s): Children; Homeless; Hunger; Pain; Poverty; Childhood; Suffering; Misery


TRAVELER, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm a traveler, states the woman of too many days
Last Line: That's the one, she says
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


TREPIDATION, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm afraid %of being %afraid
Last Line: To not be %afraid
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


TURNED OUT FOR RENT, by M. L. S. BURKE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Out, out in the night, in the chill wintry air
Last Line: -- gaunt poverty fills all her measure of blame.
Subject(s): Homeless; Money; Poverty


TWENTY POET SKETCHES: 16, by PETER BLUE CLOUD    Poem Source                    
First Line: The scavenger poet wheeled in
Last Line: I just wrote this baby %this morning
Subject(s): Homeless; Poetry And Poets


UNDONE DAY, by JACK HIRSCHMAN    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You think I like being a dime bag in a doorway?
Last Line: Going from one key to another %in search of the outside of in
Subject(s): Homeless; Politics


VOTING THE PAUPERS IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: No choice again? Say, that makes twice
Last Line: "the ""lister fight"" is won."
Subject(s): Charity; Homeless; Poverty; Vermont; Philanthropy


WAIFS: PRELUDE, by ARTHUR PETERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ye waifs, which up till now have had no home
Last Line: Find, each of you, within this little book.
Subject(s): Homeless


WAITING FOR THE BUS, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The older you get %the more deja vu there is in this world
Last Line: I would have asked her more but the bus came
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


WALKING IN CALIFORNIA, by SETH RICHARDSON    Poem Source                    
First Line: Saw some people easing back
Subject(s): Homeless


WANTED: THE STORY OF MY LIFE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: My face %is on %an id card %in the post office
Last Line: But here %even death %evicts me
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


WAYS OF SEEING & SAYING ON WAYS OF BEING, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Uno: my calling card %I subscribe to
Last Line: Until it pushes %something up
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


WELL-TO-DO BARBECUE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Sometimes I feel like %my plane crashed
Last Line: Dental insurance %is a bitch %in this motherfucker!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


WHAT FINE KINDLING THE HOMELESS MAKE, by BOB HICOK    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I know the importance of replication but intend no action
Last Line: Of saying in the manner of a child, do it again
Subject(s): Homeless


WHAT SCHOOL CHILDREN TELL ME AS THEY WATCH PEOPLE STEP OVER ME...., by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They'll acknowledge %the toilet
Last Line: Before they %acknowledge %you'
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


WHAT WE OWE WE OWE TO SCIENCE, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: In this world %you have %bomb threats
Last Line: What %you %pay for
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE TODAY?, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: If by chance %a fortune 500 corporation
Last Line: Look out down below %or carry a good umbrella!
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


WHEN A MAN LEAVES HIS WIFE FOR AN OTTOMAN, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I want to talk plainly %about a man
Last Line: And hit his drawers %and be happy
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


WHEN YOU'VE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAIN, by CLAIRE BURCH    Poem Source                    
Last Line: Find forever in a silver sign
Subject(s): Homeless


WHERE AM I NOW?, by P. JONES    Poem Source                    
First Line: What to meet-the wicked
Subject(s): Homeless


WHITE HORSES, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: I'm surprised to see the woman of too many days %reading the paper
Last Line: Just a funny thought that crossed her mind
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


WHITE SHROUDS, by DAVID BOTTOMS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: From our kitchen window I watched the hard sleet chipping
Last Line: To husband the small logs, two at a time, onto the fire.
Subject(s): Cold; Homeless; Marriage; Winter; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


WIZARD, by MARY I. CUFFE    Poem Source                    
First Line: The hobbler is always saying %how he's fed up with the system
Last Line: But he's just an old fool with a broom %who can't find his shoes
Subject(s): Homeless; Women


WOMEN'S ROOM IN PENNSYLVANIA STATION, by KATE DANIELS    Poem Source                    
First Line: Covered with rags and cardboard and nothing
Last Line: Carrying away its cargo of men
Subject(s): Homeless; Lavatories; Pennsylvania Station, New York City; Women


YOU'RE MISSING THE POINT, THEY TELL ME!, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Imagine %being in heaven %with a cup
Last Line: Helps you %costs you %your life
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless


ZOO NATION, by TONY MEDINA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They feed me %through these %bars
Last Line: Shoe heels %ignore %my grief
Subject(s): Cities; Homeless