4

imagine my homelessness as a stumbling block against my nature

reprimanding my shyness

can you imagine

being unable to beg even though life has rendered you restless - a beggar

it has nothing to do with pride. this feeling of exposure

of violation to one's introverted nature

to have to take out your hand from your shield of solitude

to poke your head out from under his wings and cry out for bread in public

the church shuts its gates

the priests say we are not solid rocks

comeback next Saturday when the alm givers shall come around

maybe then you will find christ

in the meantime you cannot sleep here

and if a week from now your homelessness has not buried you

then we might consider you bereft of faith

imagine my homelessness defrauding me of peace

by standing in the streets under broad daylight

prostituting me to mercy

to be homelessness, introverted

and brown, is to be, many of us.