Woke up this morning
took a moment to see
through blurry eyes
exactly what
was looking back at me
Garbage can lids
cardboard under my head
a dumpster spilling over
can’t remember what I did
what I said
Do you have a light
can you spare a dime
I thought things would be different
this time
Do you have a light
can you spare a dime
I really thought life would be different
this time
Went to a center
finally took someone’s advice
lost my wallet, my cigarettes, my hoodie
came away with lice
Story of my life
always seems to be
no matter what it is I do
bad luck follows me
Do you have a light
can you spare a dime
I thought things would be different
this time
Do you have a light
can you spare a dime
I really thought life would be different
this time
One hundred push ups
fifty sit ups with a kick
didn’t make a difference
left me feeling kinda sick
Don’t know why the fuss
wish people would let things be
let me face my own future
wallow in misery
Do you have a light
can you spare a dime
I thought things would be different
this time
Do you have a light
can you spare a dime
I really thought life would be different
this time
ScribbleDartsfromtheHeart 
Quite good, Mary! Your second, fourth & fifth stanzas are, I think, quite representational for many homeless people. And your chorus reminds me of lines from Broadway, dinner theatre, and dime store novels all at the same time. 🙂 That is to say, while your chorus had a nice rhythm I wonder whether you might be able to freshen up the old, familiar lines, “Do you have a light?/ Can you spare a dime?…” These expressions still have truth, I’m sure, but even the question about the dime suggests how long the line has been around. I really respect you for writing about subjects like the homeless and their reality when others might look away.
This post was inspired by an encounter I had while waiting for the train. The fellow who approached me actually did ask, do you have a light! When I replied that I didn’t he shared some of the things that he has been going through. He did ask for money in a “gentle” way – not abrasive. I have to admit I took the easy way out in my writing by using “Do you have a dime” because it was easy to rhyme! Thanks for the thoughtful feedback you provide, Meghan
You’re welcome, Mary! I can appreciate you were aiming for the rhyme. I had a feeling this poem was inspired by an encounter 🙂
Very nice poem! true to reality…we tend to judge as experts on what is best for homeless people…in their time,
This is awesome I think. Reading this I thought this could be lyrics to a song, Nice job! And thank you for the follow 🙂 From now on, I’m going to follow your blog too. 🙂 Have a wonderful and inspiring day! 🙂
Thank-you for the comment. I will take another look at this piece as song lyrics 🙂
Also, thank-you for the follow!