Poem: Passing Particles

For the past few weeks as the weather has become colder, I’ve seen a person living rough in our neighbourhood. I have tried to help him by giving him food, although I know his circumstances are desperate. I hope I am helping him and providing comfort in some way.  I felt compelled to write the following poem to try and explain how badly the homeless are affected at this time of year.

Gusts of wind passed through the air,

Brushing gently across the top of his hair,

As passers by began to stare,

Walking by without a care,

He sat in his thin blanket lair,

In utter despair,

As winter set upon him there.

Piles of shoppers were gleefully around,

As clouds appeared,

And without a doubt,

Pain began to benumb him,

 Rubbing his pale hands together,

The man hoped for better weather,

But all he got was cold persistent rain.

Soon came the thunder,

And the lightning,

Bitter breezes passed,

Dark figures hurried in the distance,

Desperate to get back home,

To see families,

To celebrate,

On this cold winter evening.

He sat,

Shivering silently,

Looking up towards the granite gloom,

Hoping for something,

Better to come out of this.

Then pallid particles,

Poured from the sky,

Placing his hands up in the air,

In praise,

The man breathed in,

At the spectacular sight.

Ambient lights flickered around him,

Dancing,

Up,

Down,

And all around.

Then,

All stopped,

And real life returned.

Christmas time, what does this really mean to the unfortunate homeless in our society?