Homeless

Shuffling down the sidewalk
His life in plastic bags
Societies discarded remnants
A dog of suspect lineage
Frayed rope for a leash

Diverted glances avoid his being
Wide birth given to his course
Downcast eyes try not to notice
Hurt hidden within rumpled clothes

All but forgotten 
Reduced to the humility of handouts
Food, scarce sustenance hoarded
Shared with his faithful friend

Hidden neath a blanket of night
Darkness devours him
Surrounded by brothers
Sharing the pain of despair

Ghosts of  yesterday’s lived
Before the bottle and drugs
 Seduced and softened reality
Loss of dignity the price

He strokes the dog beside him
Her head upon his lap
Unlike those he left behind
She accepts him without judgement

They know tomorrow
Will be another yesterday
Where hope is just a word
Bereft of meaning