homefulness

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where do the homeless

place their hearts

what do they carry in their bags
are there enough bags to carry
memories
dreams
hopes
where do they keep their
shattered sense of security
what story do they tell themselves
about family
home
tomorrow
what narrative holds them in
the world searching
for the familiar

searching for themselves

in the shade of the void

what

pushes them forward
when we look away
refuse to see
do not help
accept
dreams carried in bags
no hearth no home
wandering flogged by

the dream that weighs too

much to carry
won’t be fed in soup lines
is lost with the childhood pictures
of family scattered

what can stay
the persistent pain
sharper than the wind
that blows though layers of
clothes worn to threads
like reserve
worked overtime
still refusing to bloom

no harvest
closed doors
fear in the eyes
of strangers
who fear your plight
more than
you
broken
shelterless
reminder of
slippery slopes
depleted mercy
poorly seasoned lies
about exceptionality
equity
& compassion
served lukewarm

and

only
on holidays

About Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

I create; therefore I am.
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