John Knight - HOMELESS - HELPLESS - HUNGRY

This poem is based on an interview with a Young Man of 19 who was seeking admission to our local YMCA Hostel of which I was Chairman. It is written to make us more aware of the combination of circumsatnces that vause our Young People to be 'on the streets' in our Cities.

I didn't want to be HOMELESS
I didn't plan to be HELPLESS
I didn't expect to be HUNGRY
But now I am all three
Homeless - Helpless - Hungry
And why?

Partially my Parents fault - because
They couldn't cope with me
Partially my Own fault - because
I always wanted my own way
Partially Society's fault
The School - The Church -The Welfare State
Because none of them tried to help me.
Partially the Drugs and the Alcohol - because
They were too readilly available.

But I do want to get back into Society
Which I rejected - and then it rejected me.
But I'm only nineteen - I'm too young to be
Homeless - Helpless - Hungry.
Won't you - 'Please Please Help Me'
Help me to be able - To help myself again!

(John Knight - Colchester - October 2009)

John Knight

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/homeless-helpless-hungry/