Adrian Manning on the
The forgotten people
walking the streets
of San Francisco
you see them all over
from the mission
to the financial area
down on
their luck
down and out
cast out
from society
welcomed to the city
but not provided for
as the mayor flies around
in a new hat and suit
veterans of
how many wars?
vietnam, the gulf, iraq,
the daily struggle?
many are unobtrusive
reading paperback novels
sitting quietly
their words come from
brown cardboard signs
echoing silently
homeless
hungry
need food
have aids
will work
why lie?
I need a beer
have a good day
thank you
thank you for what?
ignorance?
a lack of respect?
a lack of humanity?
is this all we have given you?
put some change into a cup
buy a street sheet
from a woman
who is already attracting
someone else’s attention
give a little extra
she turns to the other person
you don’t get your street sheet
but don’t argue
just cross over
to the other side and
make it easy on yourself
© Copyright Adrian Manning 2007