Dennis Cardiff: Poems and Prose

Sleeping Rough

—

by

D Cardiff
in

.

Before I open my eyes
I’m aware of a dull roar:
air brakes hissing,
cars honking,
the sound of high heels
on concrete.
It must be morning.

The cold
is unbearable.
I found some cardboard
to insulate me
from the sidewalk
but, my sleeping bag is thin.

There was freezing rain
last night.
I couldn’t sleep
for shivering.
It’s starting to snow.
I can’t feel my feet.
Sometimes, I think
it would be better
if I didn’t wake up,
but, here I am.

…

Sample my books for free — To date, $1945.00 has been donated to the homeless:

Gotta Find a Home: Conversations with Street People
http://buff.ly/1SGzGCY ($2.99 Download)
http://buff.ly/1qLHptc ($2.99 Download)
https://buff.ly/2lUfp6Q ($2.99 Download)
https://buff.ly/2Gkoyxj ($2.99 Download)

They Call Me Red:
https://buff.ly/2GJSDsG ($2.99 Download)

Private Eye: Eugene Leftowicz
https://buff.ly/3kP2pMZ ($2.99 Download)

Podcasts:
http://buff.ly/1Pxlf9p Sara Troy:  Self-Discovery Media
http://buff.ly/1XU368M Sara Troy:  Positive Vibrations Roundtable
http://buff.ly/2jdjZd6 Patricia Saunders: Writetimes Literacy Project

Comments

3 responses to “Sleeping Rough”

  1. yvettemcalleiro Avatar
    yvettemcalleiro

    So heartbreaking! Thanks for always shining a light on this problem, Dennis.

    Yvette M Calleiro :-)
    http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. DennisCardiff Avatar
      DennisCardiff

      Thanks, Yvette, this was written about a homeless man I call Greg. Every winter morning, I found Greg on the sidewalk with his sleeping bag pulled over his head. I greeted him and brought him coffee and a breakfast sandwich. He stuck his hand out and waved. This way I knew that he was still alive.

      On other occasions, we would talk, and he told me about his life and circumstances. Of course, everyone told him that he shouldn’t sleep on the sidewalk. I don’t see him anymore and I think the worst.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. yvettemcalleiro Avatar
        yvettemcalleiro

        That’s so sad! At least, he knew you cared.

        Like

Leave a comment