Untitled

By TG

Why must I fade away
Why must I rest today
Why must there be a price to pay
Why must I kneel to pray

I find my justice on the street
From your wallets come my meat
Abandoned buildings where I sleep
Paper boxes give me heat

Do you see me with your eyes
Even though you pass me by
Humiliation tries to hide
Embarrass figures of our lives

When you see me you will speak
When I ask for change to eat
A lonely figure in cold
Outcast member from the fold
Hold my shame out with my hand
Fractured woman broken man

45 Comments

  1. Isabella on March 9, 2020 at 1:18 PM

    This is really beautiful. thank you for sharing.

  2. Patrick on March 11, 2020 at 11:54 AM

    TG,
    Wow this poem is extremely powerful. Your diction is used so amazingly and you writing brings out emotion in me. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece with the rest of the world.-Pat

  3. Kris Faatz on March 13, 2020 at 1:17 PM

    Thank you for the strength, power, and honesty of these images. I love how the poem builds to the climax of the final lines. Your last image especially, “fractured woman broken man,” is outstanding.

  4. Jordyn Salmon on March 14, 2020 at 12:57 PM

    TG

    The pain and loneliness in your poem is definitely felt. The emotions and perspectives of those who are homeless or in poverty are often not considered, and they are treated almost like a problem to be fixed rather than like real people. As you said in the poem, they are treated as “outcast members.” My hope is that you continue to write about issues that mean the most to you.

  5. Gianna on March 16, 2020 at 1:35 PM

    TG,
    Thank you for sharing this fantastically written poem! It is interesting how such a dark struggle such as poverty can be so beautifully written about.
    I loved you poem and hope you write more. I hope you continue to write about such important topics of struggle in such ways and that they reach more and more people.
    Good job!!

  6. Arina Borodkina on March 16, 2020 at 11:39 PM

    This was really beautiful and moving. I am so sorry to hear about your hardships. With the current state of the virus I am especially worried for those people out on the street. I pray everyone will get through this safely. “Hold my shame out with my hand” was my favorite line. I think it really captures how difficult it is to have to ask people for their change. I know people aren’t asking for money for fun but really need it. I usually don’t know how to respond when I really don’t have any change to spare but I will be trying to at least talk a little to people who do ask because that contact probably means a lot. Thank you for this. Wishing you well.
    -Arina

  7. Elisabeth on March 17, 2020 at 10:52 AM

    Thank you for sharing. This is a beautiful and heartbreaking poem. “Fractured woman broken man” is truly a picture of all of humanity. I am praying for healing and freedom in your soul, TG.

    – Elisabeth

  8. Naana McBrown on March 18, 2020 at 12:47 AM

    TG,
    Thank you for sharing this with us. I find your poem to be very passionate, and I’m glad that you found the strength to express your personal obstacles that you’ve faced. You’ve honestly changed my outlook on people who may be in need of help on the streets, and by the way you write, you seem like someone who’s been through a lot, but i want you to remember that you have the potential to become great. This poem is amazing. You seem intelligent and I wish you nothing but the best from here on. Remember to remain motivated and keep your head held high with everything you do.

    -Naana

  9. Hannah on March 18, 2020 at 4:33 PM

    TG–
    Your poem really made an impression on me. Please don’t fade away–I’d love to read more poetry by you. Your writing style and rhymes are captivating, but the experiences you share in your writing, about the disrespect people give you and the hardships you face, are what I’m going to think about for a long time. This poem is so impactful for me, so thank you very much for writing it and I really hope to read more.
    Hannah

  10. Megan on March 19, 2020 at 7:56 AM

    What a beautiful poem, I love how the last verse disrupts the 4-line structure that you created earlier- it is so powerful. The loneliness that you describe comes across so clearly, and the honesty with which the poem is written is breath-taking.

  11. Michalla Nixon on March 20, 2020 at 10:35 AM

    This is such a powerful piece, and it really paints a picture for readers. I love how raw and emotional this is. You truly delve into the struggle of living in poverty. My favorite part is where you said “Do you see me with your eyes even though you pass me by, humiliation tries to hide” is just amazing. Many are oblivious to the feelings of those living in poverty, they fail to see poor and homeless people as people, and you captured that so well. Wonderful writing, I really hope you continue as this is amazing work. Hope all is well, take care!

  12. Karen Jones on March 21, 2020 at 12:32 PM

    This is very well written. You can tell it is from the heart, it speaks right to your soul. Bless you. X

  13. Homa on March 21, 2020 at 8:59 PM

    TG,

    Great poem! Your words are meaningful and express exactly how you feel and think about your situation. The emotions behind your words are powerful and this poem is about you and your life. Keep on writing and expressing yourself through them.

  14. John on March 22, 2020 at 7:17 PM

    This was a very powerful poem and well written
    What a different perspective.

  15. Jane Stevens on March 25, 2020 at 5:46 PM

    Dear TJ,
    You’ve created powerful images with your words. I could see the struggles. Wow. Great work.
    All the best,
    Jane

  16. Sandra Miller on March 25, 2020 at 6:49 PM

    Dear TJ, your poem is incredibly powerful and expressive. When you write, you are asserting yourself in a way that says you are not fading away. I hope you can get to a place where you recognize how strong and vital you are. You are not defined by your circumstances. I look forward to reading more poems from you.

  17. Coughlin / Johnson Family on March 25, 2020 at 9:02 PM

    Really like this poem, tugs at my heartstrings! Love the use of rhyming and repetition, enhances the whole message/meaning of the poem. Nice job!

  18. Elizabeth Diaz on March 26, 2020 at 6:52 PM

    I like that you chose to write about the stigma society has on the homeless population. The third paragraph is my favorite part of the poem because it stood out to me the most. With your words, you push the reader to feel what a homeless person feels. While reading it, I was able to paint a picture of someone asking for change and sleeping in a cardboard box. Unfortunately, this is a reality that many have to face due to a broken system. Thank you for sharing your story through your writing. I wish I could find out more about the questions you ask in the beginning, especially when you ask, “Why must there be a price to pay.” It left me wondering why you feel that way.

  19. Maria on March 27, 2020 at 12:21 PM

    This is a very powerful poem. It immediately makes me see and feel–see the lonely figure in the cold, feel the darkness and shame. I’ve known darkness and shame in my life and I think all humans have some sense of knowing that terrible feeling inside. But this poem hits that in a really special way. It’s hard to put into words, but reading this poem makes me feel more human, in both good and bad ways. That’s how you know it’s art and it’s truth.

    • Jayla Brown on April 20, 2020 at 3:39 PM

      Thank you for sharing. I think homelessness is a topic that goes ignored in the U.S. Everybody sees it, but they act like they do not. Everyone wants to say negative things about it, but they do not implement anything positive to help. Having your poem be titled Untitled shows how many homeless people feel, ignored and unknown.

  20. Nick Rice on March 27, 2020 at 1:45 PM

    First off I think leaving off a title actually helps this poem. I think it does a wonderful job at conveying the message that homelessness is something many people just look past. I think you do a great job of evoking emotion out of people who walk by people in need. The whole poem also has a rhythm to it that makes it flow nicely and ties the whole thing together.

  21. Emily on March 29, 2020 at 7:28 PM

    Dear TG,

    You did an excellent job expressing pain. Your poem definitely shows how homeless is unfortunately overlooked by many people. I hope you decide to continue sharing this story because it was beautifully authentic and heart-touching. Thank you.

  22. Noor Elhage on March 31, 2020 at 11:07 PM

    This brought a tear to my eye. This is a reminder that good people do questionable things in order to survive. This is the society we live in. Thank you for sharing something so intimate and personal.

  23. Sean on April 2, 2020 at 12:27 PM

    This is a beautiful example of pain being expressed very well in the poem. Like a lot of the other people that have commented, my favorite lines of the poem were at the end where you said, “Fractured women, broken man”. That is a really powerful line and conveys well the points you are trying to make about how hard it is to feel hopeless. A lot of people don’t understand how it is to be in that situation, and using that line to portray that not only the narrator, but fractured men and women around the whole world feel this struggle is really powerful. I hope that your poem expresses on people that it is okay to feel like this, and impresses on others that they should be more thoughtful about the way that other people are feeling in their society.

  24. Clare on April 2, 2020 at 11:01 PM

    I was really drawn in by how deep this poem got me thinking. I was impressed by how personal it felt and that it told your deeper thoughts. You ask a lot of questions that myself and i’m sure others feel they can relate to wondering themselves. I felt a connection to this poem, thank you!

  25. Nadia on April 7, 2020 at 11:32 PM

    Dear TJ,

    I think this is one of the best I have read so far. Homeless people are always overlooked as if their existence is the shame of society. A few missing paychecks and wrong decisions could clearly but us or anyone in a dire position but yet we still walk pass the homeless as if that could never be us.

  26. Natasha Gantaram on April 8, 2020 at 4:11 PM

    This poem is extremely powerful, this poem makes me feel the emotions. Your mistakes and your past does not define you.

  27. Emily U on April 10, 2020 at 2:05 PM

    TG,
    Thank you for sharing such a powerful, emotional and intense poem. The rhyming brings a beat and rhythm that brought out even more emotion as I read it. Please keep writing poems and sharing your truth to the world.

  28. Fateema Farzana on April 10, 2020 at 10:21 PM

    “Fractured woman broken man” this last line says it all. The pain, the negligence you have expressed through this poem can be felt in so many levels. This poem calls for humanity to wake up. Keep up the good work!

  29. ella on April 11, 2020 at 1:26 AM

    wow. This is an incredible poem. I love how there was repetition in the beginning but you didn’t keep it throughout the whole thing. I also loved that there wasn’t a title. This was very powerful and I praise and appreciate you for being so tender and vulnerable with your words. You are very talented TJ. And I hope you find what you’re looking for.

  30. Kayelynn on April 13, 2020 at 12:45 PM

    Dear TJ,

    Your poem was very insightful and frank about the challenges that homeless women and men face every day. The imagery you used was also very impactful. I can clearly picture in my mind the faces of numerous people that others — like myself — could encounter just walking outside and how they feel when people won’t even look them in the eye. Keep writing and making others think more deeply about things outside of themselves!

  31. Kayelynn on April 13, 2020 at 12:57 PM

    Dear TJ,

    This is a very insightful and impactful poem. Your frank imagery helps me picture the plight of numerous women and men everywhere going through homelessness. It also pushes me to self-reflect because I feel like there have been times where I’ve encountered a homeless individual, but I haven’t responded or something else. Keep writing and opening up people’s mindsets, you’re an awesome writer!

  32. heysyd123 on April 13, 2020 at 1:15 PM

    I don’t know if this was hard for you to write because it was so personal and open, but I wanted to thank you for being vulnerable and writing this poem. You have a great way with words and you a great writer. I hope I read more of you poems in the future. Keep writing!

  33. Xenia de Luna on April 14, 2020 at 10:51 AM

    Very powerful poem! I am sad to hear how people in your position feel like, I am convinced many people never thought about that!
    I hope people will start noticing others in need and provide the help needed.
    You truly have a talent for writing and I look forward to reading other beautiful texts from you!

  34. Molly Reed on April 19, 2020 at 6:29 PM

    Hi TJ, thank you for sharing. Your poem is beautifully written and vividly creates images in the reader’s mind. Your lines were artfully crafted and really made me think. Using your gift of art to talk about the problems in society is amazing. I hope you continue to share your poetry with the world!
    Best,

    MR

  35. Tiona Lancaster on April 20, 2020 at 12:55 AM

    This poem is very powerful. It speaks to both sides of the situation: the homeless and the people that could potentially help the homeless. Almost challenging them to make a difference, while also acknowledging the shame of having to ask in the first place. I sense the struggle and appeal for compassion in this piece. Well done!

  36. Nautia Smalls on April 20, 2020 at 11:12 PM

    This poem makes me think very much of every question regarding society at the moment. Who’s remembered and has their voice represented? Who’s the forgotten ones? Thank you for providing such thought provoking commentary.

  37. Nautia Smalls on April 20, 2020 at 11:16 PM

    This poem reminds me of many events happening in the country, at the moment. The lack of consideration, the lack of pursuit towards justice, and the neglect of communities that are being hit the hardest. You ask the most thought provoking questions over how important our daily actions truly are. With this sentiment, it represents how the uncertainty and position we are in during these times are challenging.

  38. Nautia Smalls on April 20, 2020 at 11:44 PM

    This poem represents the different forms of injustice we are witnessing at the moment. Your commentary pushes readers to think before they act and be empathetic before making judgements. This poem also serves as a testament that there are many social issues that are being ignored until it is too late to consider a solution. Also, the questioning behind why we do what we do, is a further push and consideration on our motives behind our actions, thus challenging us as a society to do better.

  39. Gabriella on April 21, 2020 at 1:29 AM

    I definitely felt the message of poverty and struggle in this poem as well as the one of loneliness and isolation from the rest of society. The line “hold my shame out with my hand” evokes a striking image. This poem really made me sit down and think about the issues of poverty and homelessness that plague our country. This poem is the reality of so many. This is truly a powerful piece.

  40. Amber on April 23, 2020 at 1:23 AM

    TG,

    I really like this poem! It made me feel emotions for something I have not directly experienced. Like it happened to me. Great job!

  41. Ellen on April 23, 2020 at 2:27 PM

    TG, thank you for sharing this poem. It’s very powerful. I think these two lines ask a very important question: Do you see me with your eyes
    Even though you pass me by

  42. Zachary Davis on April 23, 2020 at 2:32 PM

    TG,

    I really enjoyed reading this poem. I think their is raw emotion and there is so much that you are letting us into while reading this poem. It is quite remarkable the way you can express all of this in a few simple words. With each line you can feel emotion.

    “Do you see me with your eyes
    Even though you pass me by
    Humiliation tries to hide
    Embarrass figures of our lives”

    -This part really spoke to me, and allows us to think about ourselves and our situations.

    I really enjoyed how you ended the poem as well. I believe it was powerful.

    Thank you

  43. Ray Ryan on May 10, 2020 at 3:58 AM

    Hey, that is very nicely written “Hold my shame out with my hand Fractured woman broken man” that line feels so compelling and just incredibly moving. I sympathize with your heartache pain and struggles and hope the best and that things become nothing but better for you and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Bless you

  44. Clifford on November 20, 2020 at 5:25 PM

    Tg you demonstrated a amazing piece. The choice of words was excellent.

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.