I originally wrote this in December 2013 but it is still relevant .
I hope it won’t snow this Christmas it’s one of my biggest fears.
It was so bitter last year even thinking of it makes me shudder and shed a tear.
They won’t be eating Turkey with all the trim
Unless they find a charity shelter and they can get in.
The people at the shelters are angels from up above they give their time and plenty love.
They really are saviours they really do so much good.
They give warmth and comfort and Christmas dinner and even Christmas pud.
OH! why are they out here I hear you say
There are lots of reasons, have you got all day? Dave got made redundant the bills he couldn’t pay So the bank stepped in and took his home away.
His wife could not stand the B&B that the social offered them
So she took the children off to live with her mum so Dave won’t see them again.
Jen, she was cheeky girl always having fun
Staying out late and playing up in the end it got too much for her mum!
After a big row one night in the summer she asked Jen to go,
So she is struggling along out here now,when your homeless it is amazing how fast your friends all go.
Rob well his story is very sad,
It all started with his drinking then he discovered drugs he became violent and everything turned bad.
He fell out with his mother’s boyfriend who told him he had to go
And then threw him out into the December snow.
The reasons are legion you can take your pick,
People who loose their jobs because they became sick
From parents who can’t cope
To addictions that make you loose all hope,
Parents or family who beat you, family who will not stop at a touch
They want you to give them way too much.
This may all seem morbid this may all seem too sad
I hate to tell you all, things can be so very, very bad.
People young and old see their hopes and dreams unfold and vanish in clouds of smoke
As they end up on the streets lost and without any hope.
So enjoy your Christmas parties, your families and your Yule tide fare
But as you raise a toast remember the homeless ones out there .
willowdot21 
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:03:01
This is very sad and honest.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:03:37
We need to be aware and help. xxxx
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:05:11
It is indeed still relevant now Willow. So very sad. xx
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:06:14
It truly makes we weep, I see these people on the streets our my town…it is wrong.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:23:21
Yes it is wrong at any time but it seems particularly cruel at Christmas, not least because of the freeing weather.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:29:07
I jut wish I could help them all!
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:35:07
I know, me too! 🙂
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:35:39
❤
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:11:45
This problem drags on and on even though it is obviously the result of a misguided social experiment that involved shutting down State Hospitals while simultaneously paying for tax cuts by gutting budgets for community mental health services. Now there are other people on the streets as well; the elderly and people who have lost jobs.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:15:56
We live in sad bad times, the system is failing badly.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:37:51
It’s frightening.
Americans have always made the dangerous assumption that we are exempt from the errors in judgement that led to the rise of 20th Century fascism.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:39:50
dly no one is exempt, no matter where you come from we are all one life changing event away from homelessness!
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:12:41
Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
Some thoughts on Homelessness and Christmas
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:15:19
Thank you for spreading the word. xx
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:43:31
Alas, this poem is still relevant. Breaks my heart to see homeless people in the freezing cold of winter, hungry and not dressed for the temps. ❤ ❤
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:49:44
it is always the elephant in the corner that will never go away unless we address it!
Dec 19, 2016 @ 22:49:16
Indeed. ❤ ❤
Dec 19, 2016 @ 22:51:48
Yes indeed!
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:49:43
so sad
Dec 18, 2016 @ 19:51:05
It really is !
Dec 18, 2016 @ 22:27:58
So sad but true.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 22:37:52
Willow, so well said!
I think you’ll be pleased to hear that a number of people in the Irish arts industry, have grouped together in an ‘act of civil disobedience’ and taken over a building in Dublin that used to be used by out Dept. of Health. They felt that they had to do something to ensure that rough sleepers had a place to go. There is huge support for them. I know it’s not the whole answer, by any means, but it is certainly putting homelessness on the agenda here at present.
Dec 18, 2016 @ 22:42:08
Well that is excellent, some action however small is a beginning and better than no action at all. Thank you for that news it cheered me up😊
Dec 18, 2016 @ 22:47:26
My pleasure. It has cheered most of Ireland up immensely as well. xx
Dec 18, 2016 @ 22:48:09
🙂