Why are the Homeless-Homeless?
By Louis Rams

People become homeless because of circumstance
and the cards may be stacked against them
and they don’t have a chance.

A child growing up doesn’t say,
“I want to be homeless when I grow up”
or “I want to be an alcoholic or a junkie.”

There are more reasons than I wish to count
of how a person’s life can turn about.
A lost job, or lost family;
something that they did not foresee.

They say 3% of the homeless are American vets,
and it gets better yet…
They have come back from a war that has
never been declared…many wounded,
shell shocked, and living in fear.

They gave their all so that we could be free,
and did not ask to live in poverty.
No job, no money, no food to eat…
And a conversation with them can be a treat.

If you weren’t born with a gold or silver spoon
in your mouth, then maybe you’ll know
what I’m talking about.

The homeless are part of the world’s society.
They’ve lost everything, including their dignity.
Do you think that you could survive?
Maybe you’ll find out with some time.