Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Bag Lady

I wrote this poem when I noticed a surge in the homeless community.  Today, especially in Los Angeles,the problem is worse than ever before.  It is sad to see people of all ages, including entire families, living under the freeway overpass.  Some of these people have a job, but can't afford to find affordable housing.  That should not be in America.

As a young black girl, having grown up in South Central, Los Angeles I have fond memories of neighborhood and community.  Over the years I have witnessed the neighborhood change.  Slowly, we are being pushed out by skyrocketing prices in homes and rentals.  We all deserve a place to call home.  My question is this, Where is our safe place in a nation that sees us as the enemy? 

We have got to fix the problem; because, none of us are safe from the plight of homelessness.  I know that but for the Grace of God, there go I.


    Bag Lady



Bag lady, bag lady every day I see you as I drive by
You always catch my eye
I know the load you carry is too heavy for you to carry alone
You’re only skin and bones
Yet, there you are walking the street
With worn out shoes on your feet
I’ve seen you brave the cold and the scorching heat,
But you never seem to concede to defeat
I’ve seen the angry rain plummeting your small frame
Again and again
I’ve seen the wind send you in an aimless twirl
It seems as if it’s you against the world
Bag lady, 
Bag lady,
Struggling on your own
It won’t be long before you are gone,
Because it must be hard waging that battle alone
I wonder how much longer will you keep holding on?
I ponder your history
Do you have family?
What is your name
And who is the blame
For you being where you are?
How did you end up having no home and no car?
I wonder if you only own the clothes you wear
And the bags you push around everywhere?
You peak my curiosity
I can’t help but admire your tenacity
And your capacity
To keep holding on
When everything is gone
Bag lady, bag lady
I worry for your safety
Out on the streets
And about whether you have enough food to eat.
I pray
I pray
Because even if you won’t concede to defeat
It’s got to be hard waging a battle against the streets.
I know there will come a day when I’ll look for you and you’ll be gone,
Because the load you’re carrying is too heavy for you to carry alone
One day soon things will unravel,
And there will finally be an end to your travel
You will be replaced
By another homeless face
That will catch my eye
As I drive by
Leaving me to ponder
And wonder
Once again
Until another story
comes to an end.

copyright 2010, Matters of the Heart

I dedicate this song to the homeless.