Despair
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
March 9, 2016 4:25pm CST
She was alone with all her thoughts
Did not know what to do,
Her bank account showed all the noughts,
And all the bills were due.
Her man was gone, left her his debts,
She had no way to pay,
She could not even feed her pets,
And so gave them away.
Destitute, she walked the street,
Looking for some shelter,
Sat on a bench to rest her feet,
Despaired what life had dealt her.
She felt outcast, was very sad,
Covered with much grime,
It's not her fault - she's not bad,
Not guilty of a crime.
Forlorn, and though she does not weep,
Her heart she thinks will break,
Lays down upon the bench to sleep,
And hopes she will not wake.
52 people like this
50 responses
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Mar 16
Wow! How sad. And this is probably true of many folks out there on the street.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Mar 16
@jaboUK ...Life is an adventure and not always a good one.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 16
@celticeagle I'm afraid you are probably right.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
9 Mar 16
I think you have expressed what most of us wonder about the homeless, how did it come too this?
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
10 Mar 16
@jaboUK No and I think most of us realize but for the grace of God there go I.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
9 Mar 16
@BelleStarr When seeing someone like this I always think - 'perhaps that could have been me'. We never know what circumstances bring people so low.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
9 Mar 16
@Drosophila You don't need to go so far afield to see people like this. 
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 16
@Drosophila Is it because of the present immigrant crisis, or was it bad before that?
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
9 Mar 16
hauntin'ly 'n beautifully written. a double hankie fer me. well done, sweet friend. big hugs!!
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
9 Mar 16
@crazyhorseladycx I saw a woman like this on a park bench - she looked so desolate.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
10 Mar 16
@jaboUK bless her heart 'n the many others who're'n such a place. the lost souls jest breaks ones heart.
1 person likes this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
14 Mar 16
Oh wow! Beautiful and heartfelt poem. Does the poem have to do with the person laying on the bench? I feel sad now.
1 person likes this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
16 Mar 16
@jaboUK Yes, the picture did illustrate your post. You are right there are people like that, and I think that is why it made me sad.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
14 Mar 16
@slund2041 sorry I made you feel sad but there are people like this about. The photo is from Pixabay, but I thought it illustrated the post well.
1 person likes this
@Vjvals (906)
• Roseville, California
10 Mar 16
@jaboUK Yes I'm aware, some have lost their jobs and like your poems says perhaps other means of financial support and sometimes that leads to mental health problems, so that could help them as they can offer social workers who could find the resources necessary to further assist them. Many shelters were shut down also.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50580)
• United States
9 Mar 16
That may undoubtedly be the most depressing discussion that I have read all day.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
9 Mar 16
@Tampa_girl7 Sorry about that Marie - I can't always be bright and cheerful
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
10 Mar 16
This was very depressing. Poor woman. Lol@Drosophila. Reminds me of Greece, too!
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 16
@ridingbet Of course you won't Ingrid, you are strong.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 16
@ridingbet You are in a better position than most to know what is good for your own body.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
12 Mar 16
@jaboUK I am a warrior, my friend, in contrast to my sister who is the worrier. This is also affirmed by my cardiologist when my sister asked Dr. RG what are the foods I should limit or not eat, and Dr. Rg told her, "She knows because she is a warrior, unlike you who is the worrier".
1 person likes this
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
11 Mar 16
Really beautifully penned--such a poignant piece
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
11 Mar 16
@divalounger That's nice of you to say that, thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
12 Mar 16
@jaboUK Good poem.The plight of the woman is clear to us from the words-Destitute,Despaired,Outcast and forlorn.
It is a pity,there are still such homeless people.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
12 Mar 16
@jaboUK Usually we come across such persons,just pity them and go forward.But you have come up with such a nice poem.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 16
@silvermist Yes, homelessness seems to be a problem that won't go away.
1 person likes this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
10 Mar 16
Sad, but becoming more common these days I'm afraid.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
10 Mar 16
@Sheilamarie78 You'd think that with the world generally becoming more affluent that there would be less homeless, not more.
1 person likes this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
10 Mar 16
@jaboUK You'd think, but there are bigger divides between rich and poor all the time.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
12 Mar 16
That is depressing and sad.... Now I'll go read your happy one. (I love your poetry even when its depressing)
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate I do chuck a sad one in occasionally, it makes for variety.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
12 Mar 16
Sadly @jaboUK there is more of this happening then ever before. There are empty buildings in every city that could be turned into shelters for the homeless, but nothing is done. Mismanagement of city, county and state monies.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 16
@nanette64 It's heartbreaking, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
12 Mar 16
@jaboUK It is and when you think about the fact that so few are homeless because of mental problems, that leaves a whole lot of people and some with children too.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
12 Mar 16
Well-written and unfortunately so true of many. A poignant piece for sure.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
13 Mar 16
@jaboUK And dpn't worry we have to be depressed and get a dose of reality sometimes. 
1 person likes this
