My Mate Stole My Mom's Purse

Chapter Two

MMSMMP-Chapter Two

Child Homelessness

By:Alana Pace

She huddled in the bus shelter, chilled to the bone

So far away from home and completely alone

The people in their houses so warm and dry

That's when it all seemed so clear and she started to cry.

Life can throw some pretty low blows

On a wet face a tear never shows

Lonely for some attention and love

Sometimes asking why? From God up above.

Dwellings across the street warm and inviting,

The cold in her ungloved hands now biting

She guessed it must be dinner time

Through the double glazing it looked like a happy mime

Inside a family sitting down, Mum kissing children, Dad acting the clown

So desperate for a hot bath and a filling meal

Lost for a moment in a dream of how good that would feel

For her, damp feet had lost all their feeling

Thoughts of a warm bed for one night so appealing

Did the people in those homes appreciate what they've got

They don't understand her plight, so probably not.

A life on the street could throw you some knocks

Dark, sinister strangers, made your heart wear a lock.

No one knew how her sodden clothes felt

A day with overcast skies from where freezing rain pelts

She couldn't go back to her childhood home

That's where danger, abuse and violence still roam.

The homes opposite with curtains still open wide

Made her think of better days when she still had some pride

Now to beg for change was no longer a daily chore

The people out shopping had so much more

Some swore and said words she could not repeat

Others hurried by or crossed the street

The ones with eyes that looked straight through

Unknowingly inflicted a pain only she knew

Maybe they were embarrassed with feelings unclear

But to become invisible was her greatest fear.

Tonight insulated with newspapers salvaged from a bin

She hopes for the better life tomorrow might bring

Now she bravely wipes away tears

Closes her eyes and silences fears

Somehow with returning inner strength

She softly cajoles herself at some length

This homeless person on this rainy night must cope

As for her there's not the luxury of giving up hope.

I ran forward and snatched the bag, running as fast as I could with adrenalin pumping hard and fast through my veins. I heard the scream come from behind me and what sounded like a growl. My heart beat started to Thu-thump hard in my chest. But, just as I was about to round the corner, I felt myself being tackled to the ground.