The Crimson Letters

A Homeless Man

"Be grateful, there are many who have less."

My mother's words like wind chimes filled me with grace.

"Be grateful for you'll always find one worse off."

My father's words taught me not to feel sorry for myself.

As I grew and grew smarter,

Something inside me changed.

I felt the push and pull of love and was left stranded.

I felt the pull of money that eluded me and the drab, dry, wet, cold life of a homeless man.

"Be grateful, there are many who have less."

"Be grateful, for you'll always find one worse off."

Tis true, many a time I have,

But good grace no longer fits my attire.

I wonder now,

Through thin and thin,

Whether I should be grateful people have less and are worse off.

This life is hell,

Where do others go?

There is worse.

How does that make me happy?

Teach me, all you who are sane,

You, the successful and wise.

Unleash me from my folly and tell me why I should think myself lucky.

Children have been born to me,

And taken away when I lost my home.

It burned to the ground,

While my wife slept,

And I was insured to be homeless.

Now no one approaches me,

They think I'm dangerous,

No one talks to me,

I'm lonely.

I hold a needle for the first time in my hand,

Now they think I'm worthless and beyond help.

Teach me, please.

"Be grateful, there are many who have less."

"Be grateful, for you'll always find one worse off."