Shame/Shelter/Judgment

by Austin Feathers


Not having a place to go
sleeping on the side of the road,
the breath of old man winter doesn’t help.
My shelter isn’t protecting me as much as I like
being treated like an animal.
Legs are tired from walking.
My feet moving to a steady beat.
People walk past
only giving glances
pretending not to notice me.
Others laugh
call me harsh names
things like outcast and nobody.
This love makes my heart sink into a deep abyss.
Eyes are heavy from sleepless nights.
Mind broken from worrying,
trying to find safety.
My dead body moves in slow-mo.
I left my home to find safety
but all I found was shame.

Who am I?
What am I?
Where am I?
I just want a place to belong.
Hopefully that place will come.

Poetry