To you, it’s just a street of shops. I watch as you arrive empty-handed then leave with bulging bags.
To me, it’s home, or it will be soon when the shutters rattle down and the bright lights fade.
I did okay today. Enough for a burger. I’ll spend as long as I can in McDonald’s before settling down for the night in my cosy shop doorway. It’s damp but not too cold.
It’s different here at night. Rats roam around. Foxes and cats too. I’ve more in common with them than with you.
Sleep well tonight. Maybe I will, maybe not.
Thanks to Rochelle both hosting and supplying the photograph.
Prod the frog to see what others have come up with!
I liked this “It’s different here at night. Rats roam around. Foxes and cats too. I’ve more in common with them than with you.”
That’s most kind of you Neil, thanks.
Dear Keith,
You’ve captured the life of a homeless man very well. I felt like I was there with him. Love the frog.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much Rochelle.
A poignant and powerful scene Keith, and all too common in our cities.
It is, a world-wide problem which shouldn’t exist in our time. Thanks Iain.
The idea that once everyone has gone, once the lights have gone out, then it’s home for someone. Very touching.
It becomes a very different place. Thanks Sandra.
Horrible situation. It really should happen in first world nations but it does. Well written. Foxes were a nice but different touch.
It’s not just humans living on the streets! Thanks so much Tannille.
Good point, equally horrible.
Poignant. A good reminder of the reality of so many less than fortunate souls out there just trying to survive. Even as I write this (from inside a McDonald’s) I can see a table encircled with homeless who come here to get warm, eat, bathe in the bathroom sink. Many have chosen this way of life and are resistant to help or change. Others, and you can tell, are here only temporarily until they get their feet back under them. Such is the reality of this world in which we live.
They each have a story to tell, a reason for the situation they find themselves in. For some it’s a lifestyle choice, but not for the majority. Thanks so much for your interesting comment.
I agree.
Desperate days when you want to spend time in MacDonald’s!
Excellent piece, Keith, as good as I’ve seen from you.
Absolutely! Cheers CE
Nicely done angle on that … all too real in urban centers. All too many persons whose voice this could be, right here in NYC.
From NYC to my little seaside town in the UK, it exists the world over. Thanks Na’ama.
True. Though perhaps I have the illusion/fantasy that in smaller towns people would be less lost in a crowd. Perhaps not. Perhaps it is really up to us, each of us, to remain more aware of those around us, and see those who often remain unseen, no matter if in a big town or a small village or a seaside town (LOVE seaside towns!!!),
Na’ama
Very true, in fact several of our s are known by name to the locals and are part of the community.
Still sad. Or is it even sadder, in some way? I don’t know. Sad, anyhow …
This is nice fluent writing, Keith, with a strong theme. It is a tragedy – and a disgrace – that so many people are homeless even in rich nations.
I totally agree with you Penny, thanks for reading and commenting.
It’s so sad. Those that are wanderers by choice, they call themselves migrant workers or hobos here, i understand they have made the choice and they work where they want and when they want. Those that are mentally ill, addicts, or homeless and afraid not by choice, i wish there were a way to help more of them.
They each have a story to tell, a reason for being where they are. Thanks for you insightful comment Mimi
I wonder so much how it really is, living on the streets… the rats would be terrible… most probably I wouldn’t sleep.
For some it’s just a way of life, rats and all. Thanks Björn
I get the strong sense that this homeless guy has no desire to be “rescued” by any well-meaning folks. Interesting story.
Exactly so Linda. Several ‘rough sleepers’ in my town have been offered hostel accommodation but refused it.
But for the grace of God…. I’m grateful for a room over my head and a full belly.
A good reminder and a good tale.
Tracey
Perfectly put Tracey, I couldn’t agree with you more
Good take Keith
Thank you Di
you’re welcome
Insightful and sensitive telling, Keith.
That’s most kind of you, thanks.
You’re very welcome.
Brilliantly done, Keith. I loved this.
Thank you so much Dale.
Very sad. He seems to be making the best he can of it. Nice one!
Exactly, just as many do. Thanks draliman
From your writing I can imagine both a person and a dog or cat existing though homeless. Well done!
Thank you so much.
Good writing, homeless and destitute but full of hope.
To some it’s not all bad. Thanks so much James.
Who am I? Road or something on the road that watches everything that happens there?
Exactly that. Thanks Abhijit.
Beautifully done. A terribly sad situation
It is but I felt he’d accepted it. Thanks so much Laurie
That’s heartbreakingly realistic. Well told.
Thanks so much.
I always feel sorry for people sleeping out rough especially when it comes to winter. Mind you, at least he managed to get enough for a burger. Great story.
I do too. When sitting in your cosy home in winter it’s too easy to forget those less fortunate.
Very much so. It is even easier when you live where I do because in our little village never see anybody sleeping rough.
A sad and thought-provoking piece, sensitively written. It’s very sad, those who are homeless and struggle to meet their basic needs.
Thanks so much for your thoughts Brenda.
One street: many layers, many lives. An imaginative compassionate piece.
That’s most kind of you, thanks so much.
A poignant story about that ‘night time economy’ that we don’t usually see.
Perfectly put. Thanks so much.
Had to read a few times to understand the meaning, that’s how good it is. I like it very much, in a way I can relate to it.
I’m glad you think it was worth the effort! Thanks so much.
Sure thing! ^^
A sad story based on the reality of making due in a bad situation, Keith. The comparisons were great. It seems more stories like those of Charles Dickens are needed. I loved the frog. —- Suzanne
Indeed they are Suzanne. Thanks so much your generous words, Frog says Hi!
Like this perspective, very true to life.
Very kind of you Dawn, thank you.