Words of a Poet

Ever since I became homeless a few weeks ago my life has completely changed. I lost a lot of possessions. Truth is I didn’t even know I had many of them. They were locked away in a closet for 12 years. Many things I wasn’t attached to. All that matters now is to have food, water, somewhere to sleep, and somewhere to use the bathroom, These things are vital now when before it was just a common thing. My world has completely flipped upside down.

As I said I lost a lot of things. I don’t need my trophies to remind me how great of a player I was. I don’t need a poster I had since I was 16 to remind me. I don’t need that PS2 I haven’t touched in years. I don’t need that kitchen table I neve3r used. I don’t need that half bottle of shampoo. Those clothes I never wore I won’t miss them. The trinkets I collected can just be a memory. The random things in my “junk drawer” are gone I just never threw them away.

I’ve already learned a lot and its weird the things you would think I would say first. The first thing is the people. My perspective has completely changed. I used to think if you were homeless you were just a bums that wouldn’t get a job. Try coming to church or a shelter with me and I will prove you otherwise. Hearing some of their stories they are lucky just to be alive. I haven’t had a hard life compared to them. Sometimes asking for money is all you can do. Yes when I had a job I would look out for them, food and water. I did my best and felt blessed. I could share what I had with those forgotten.

Funny thing is the same homeless people I would help are helping me now. Whether with knowledge, love, prayer, faith, friendship, a beer, a cigarette, whatever it may be. I’ve been told so many times “Matthew do you remember when you did this for me? I don’t have a lot but let me help you too” I think they call that Karma.

There is such a stigma on giving money to homeless. They are just gonna buy cigarettes, beer, or drugs. Sometimes yeah that’s true. You know when you “need” a coffee? Sometimes I “need” a cigarette. Yet in any case a few dollars can change someone’s life.

This morning I was asleep in front of a restaurant on the sidewalk. Throughout the night I hear sounds that wake me up. The car lights wake me up, shining in my face. This morning I hear “excuse me” He says it twice. Instantly I thought it was time to wake up and move so they could get into the restaurant. I pull the hoodie from my eyes and see a nice gentlemen. I had heard his car earlier “BEEP BEEP BEEP”. He was unloading for the store next door. So I said “Yes?” He handed me $2 dollars and said I hope you are okay and bless you.

You may think $2 is nothing. You are homeless $2 is a lot for you but not me. Sure I could of just went to get a beer or wasted it on something.

Do you know what I did with that money? I used it to ride the bus to a job interview. That $2 gesture might change my life and that man might never know what he did.