The Poem

This poem seems to lament the hopelessness of life on the streets for homeless people. Our poet, Sue worked in a social services job later in her life. She had a soft spot for people who were down on their luck and needed help. She always offered to help, but some of them didn’t want any help. I think some of the disappointment expressed in this poem is about trying to help, but the effort is defeated.

 

The Picture

I have always felt empathy towards street people too. I find them to be interesting; real people. I wonder about their circumstances and how they got to where they are. I’m drawn to drawing them. This month I painted two pictures on cardboard, the building material of makeshift shelters; ”on the streets, in their cardboard suites”. On the street when we see them, we often look down, trying to avoid looking in their eyes. I wanted to capture the humanity of homeless people and look at them.

 

Suite Street

 

Such a cold,

cold

city

 

disgrace

how they live

(tortured) eyes empty

(tortured) hearts empty

 

fear

nothing to rely on

did they know,

no.

 

did I know,

no.

 

I am here unseen.

 

central

In this city

Gone…

Will anyone know I’ve ever been?

 

Thousands the same

one

the same?

 

 

Speaking of “believe in”

on the streets

In their cardboard suites

 

some live just for the words

 

their “agony of defeat”

my agony of defeat?

 

all stories, their stories

same

all for none.

no give and take

egocentricity;

ego

centre

I

city.

how could they see?

how have I?

 

By: Sue Michaud

 

 

Ink and acrylic painting on cardboard, “Homeless”  By: Sylvia Arthur 

Ink and acrylic painting on cardboard, “Beggar”  By: Sylvia Arthur