On the streets
I am young and I am angry
I don’t know what to do
I’m confused about what path to take
about what I am, or who
My parents didn’t want me
Into foster care I went
No judgment, only love and care
These homes were heaven sent
But foster care is foster care
Became more pepper than salt
I rebelled against those people, too,
Even though it was not their fault
I took to wandering here and there
With others, also homeless
We did the things we had to do
And became a little lawless
Depression is a common theme
Mental illness … it is rife
Frustration, anger, low esteem
becomes a recipe for strife
We beg, we lie, we even steal
To get some food to eat
Survival is the driving force
When you’re living on the street
Didn’t take long, in desperation
We take to drugs to drink
The lack of trust, suspicion, fighting
soon took us to the brink.
Alone is what you want to be
But it’s love you really seek
Acceptance is a life saver
When you’re living on the street
You hunger for a warm embrace
your soul it aches for love
until finally, in desperation, you
pray to whomever’s above
We’re all together on the street
One creed, one mob, one race
The uniting bond that we all share
The desperation on our face
Cold concrete chills your brittle bones
Empty stomach knots up tight
You’d even sign a devil’s pact
To make it through the night
Doctors, lawyers, engineers
You’ll ne’er know who you’ll meet
all the lost souls, ever searching
When you’re living on the street
We love the late night visits
From the community volunteers
We’d raise a toast and cheer them on
if we could afford the beers
The Sallies come, and Rosie’s, too
The most welcoming of crews
Offering dinner, shoes and sleeping mats
And a cup of warming brew
So one and all extend your hand
We’re friendly, we won’t bite!
With friendship, trust and, yes, some love
We’ll turn darkness into light
Hopes and dreams they come and go
It’s our outlook we must beat
To dig within, and find the strength
And walk proudly off the street.
eoin macdhugail 2011©
I am young and I am angry
I don’t know what to do
I’m confused about what path to take
about what I am, or who
My parents didn’t want me
Into foster care I went
No judgment, only love and care
These homes were heaven sent
But foster care is foster care
Became more pepper than salt
I rebelled against those people, too,
Even though it was not their fault
I took to wandering here and there
With others, also homeless
We did the things we had to do
And became a little lawless
Depression is a common theme
Mental illness … it is rife
Frustration, anger, low esteem
becomes a recipe for strife
We beg, we lie, we even steal
To get some food to eat
Survival is the driving force
When you’re living on the street
Didn’t take long, in desperation
We take to drugs to drink
The lack of trust, suspicion, fighting
soon took us to the brink.
Alone is what you want to be
But it’s love you really seek
Acceptance is a life saver
When you’re living on the street
You hunger for a warm embrace
your soul it aches for love
until finally, in desperation, you
pray to whomever’s above
We’re all together on the street
One creed, one mob, one race
The uniting bond that we all share
The desperation on our face
Cold concrete chills your brittle bones
Empty stomach knots up tight
You’d even sign a devil’s pact
To make it through the night
Doctors, lawyers, engineers
You’ll ne’er know who you’ll meet
all the lost souls, ever searching
When you’re living on the street
We love the late night visits
From the community volunteers
We’d raise a toast and cheer them on
if we could afford the beers
The Sallies come, and Rosie’s, too
The most welcoming of crews
Offering dinner, shoes and sleeping mats
And a cup of warming brew
So one and all extend your hand
We’re friendly, we won’t bite!
With friendship, trust and, yes, some love
We’ll turn darkness into light
Hopes and dreams they come and go
It’s our outlook we must beat
To dig within, and find the strength
And walk proudly off the street.
eoin macdhugail 2011©
