Street Dwellers
With their faces all lined and weather beaten,
It could be days since these folk have last eaten.
These city dwellers; these rough sleeping rovers,
Have resorted to searching rubbish bins for leftovers.
Through the city streets, they aimlessly roam;
Sometimes asking people for the bus fare home.
Refused money, some will swear in your face;
The streets can seem such a threatening place.
Some of them don’t exactly turn on the charm,
When they ask for money, and grab your arm.
Some smile, courteously, bidding you a good day,
Despite things not having quite gone their way.
Some attempt to stop people passing them by,
But most people still do, however hard they try.
Asking for spare change, they repeat their plea;
Some, passers-by, purposely, choose not to see.
They may sleep in a shop doorway, or under a bridge,
Where the temperature is often as cold as a fridge.
The days and nights seem to go on for almost ever,
Especially during the cold and wet, wintry weather.
These people are all different; they are not all the same.
Some are uneducated; some have letters after their name.
Some of them are outgoing, while others are very shy;
Some of them are trustworthy, while others are very sly.
We know very little about these people’s past lives;
They may have left behind children, husbands or wives.
This group of individuals are so unique and so diverse,
But, for them, their living conditions could not be worse.
All they need is someone to give them a second chance;
Someone who gives them more than just a second glance.
Nobody lives their life on the streets, purely by choice.
It is time that they were listened to, and given a voice.
poem by Angela Wybrow
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
No Fixed Abode
Around the streets, some people pace;
Others sit in doorways and stare into space.
With nothing to do and nowhere to go,
Days seem to drag and time goes slow.
Their daily lives hold little direction;
They're prone to illness and infection.
Their dowdy clothes are full of dust and dirt;
Their eyes are full of hunger and deep down hurt.
Aromas from restaurants waft through the air,
Making pangs of hunger much harder to bear.
Their bellies grumble due to a lack of food;
Remembering better times, they sit and brood.
Some want money for food, drink or drugs;
Some just want love, and they just want a hug.
Amidst the city's seemingly never-ending din,
Many scavenge for their food in rubbish bins.
To ask for money, some seize their chance:
They get ignored or receive a cutting glance.
Like you and I, these people have feelings,
But the sight of them leaves some people reeling.
The lucky few head to a hostel for the night;
Others bed-down in doorways: a sorry old sight.
Those left on the streets do their best to sleep,
But klaxons wail loudly and car horns beep.
Each day and night, they struggle to survive;
In present circumstances, they cannot thrive.
Once upon a time, these people had pride,
But, from the world, they now want to hide.
poem by Angela Wybrow
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Soothe Me
Maybe I should wander
Through these streets a little longer
Hey new york city
Wont you welcome me back home
And darling I love you
But I swear that Ill be gone
By the time you figure out what you want
Maybe I should wander
Through my solitude a little longer
Turn your head now sailor
Well I used to be so much stronger
How in the hell did I get here
In this city so alone
Oh sometimes life seems so long
Chorus
You cant soothe me with your sweet voice
If I cant be your first choice
You cant soothe me with your deep eyes
If I cant be your first prize
You cant soothe me with affection
If its pointed in the wrong direction
Unless you think Im perfection
Unless you think Im perfection
Maybe I should wander
Through these streets a little longer
Find my ruthless angel
That will carry me back home
Cause we all wanna go home
And we search for love our whole lives
I found a man who only wants to be alone
Repeat chorus
Maybe down the road who knows
Youll get it together
With all your charm my hope grows
Its wonderful
But youre flirting only as a friend
You touch my heart
And promise everything
Itll be a mighty cold winter
Five million people
Couldnt one of them be you
And darling I love you
But I swear that Ill be gone
By the time you figure out
What you want
Repeat chorus
song performed by by Vonda Shepard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In My City
In my city the sky can cry all night;
In my city the streets can whine all night;
In my city people die all the time;
In my city, boi, in my city...
In my city, boi, God is forgotten;
people follow religion, their minds are rotten.
People kill for money, die 'cause of money,
banks spend our money, and find it funny.
Kids drink till they forget, they forget till they drink;
it's Apocalypse now, we're way past the brink...
it's a theatrical city, everyone's an actor,
everyone's waitin for next great disaster.
'I would kill for a phone' ain't just an expression,
it's more of a statement - kids full of agression.
kids full of the city, like the city's full of kids,
but they're workin on it - they're killin all the kids...
In my city the sky can cry all night;
In my city the streets can whine all night;
In my city people die all the time;
In my city, boi, in my city...
I'm a Silesian boy who moved to Tottenham,
I'm a Tottenham boy who'll always love London,
I'm a London boy who's Silesia-born,
and my people will be free - so go on, sound the horn!
Exile like Chopin, likewise keeps hoping,
Exile from Home, but somehow I'm coping...
I wasn't bought or sold, jus brought and told
you're gonna study here, and live here - be bold!
so I let my heart turn cold, f- it, why care?
carin never really got us anywhere...
nothing's holdin me back, so come and hold me back,
I ain't no ref, but I change the rules like Shaq.
it's time to speak of feelin, son, you're insecure,
that's why you want the finest chic, but she ain't the cure,
you want the fastest cars, you want the longest chain,
but none of that bulls- will take away the pain...
poem by Patryk Krzywon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Living For The City
A boy is born in hard time mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that aint so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city...ee ha!
His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And youd best believe she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city... yeah!
His sisters black but she is shonuff pretty
Her skirt is short but lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school shes got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city...um hum
Her brothers smart hes got more sense than many
His patiences long but soon he wont have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives they dont use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
Living just enough...
For the city... ooh, ooh
(repeat several times)
His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his life walking the streets of new york city
Hes almost dead from breathing in air pollution
He tried to vote but to him theres no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel no where could be much colder
If we dont change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city!!!!
La, la, la, la, la, la,
Da ba da da da da da da
Da da da da da da
Da da da da da da da da da
(repeat to end)
song performed by by Stevie Wonder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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City Streets
The gaudy glow of neon lights
dispels the darkness of the nights
on city streets.
They pop and fizzle noisily
creating a cacophony
on city streets.
The sober folks walk warily
and drunks stagger uncaringly
on city streets.
The ladies of the night parade
for there is money to be made
on city streets.
Drug dealers ready to retreat
if they should hear a coppers feet
on city streets.
The night shift workers wend their way
towards their work to start their day
on city streets.
The noisy revellers thin out
as one by one the signs go out
on city streets.
The gradually noises abate
and ghostly shadow congregate
on city streets.
For some few hours peace will reign
before the noise will start again
on city streets.
The early morning traffic sounds
start with the milkmen on their rounds
on city streets.
This builds up to an angry roar
as cars and lorries inward pour
on city streets
then when at last rush hour has passed
noise levels will subside at last
on city streets
I thank the lord that I am free
to leave this noise far behind me
on city streets.
I walked my beat the whole night
through exactly as I’m paid to do
on city streets.
I choose to live outside the town
where constant noise won’t get me down
on city streets.
My village is a quiet place
A haven where I need not face
the noisy streets.
8-Jun-07
poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Best Days
Over the river they all go again
Out into leafy nowhere hope someone's waiting out there for them
Cabbie has his mind on a fare to the sun
He works nights but it's not much fun
Picks up the london yo-yos
All on their own down soho
Take me home
Other people wouldn't like to hear you
If you said that these are the best days of their lives
Other people turn around and laugh at you
If you said that these are the best days of our lives
Trellick tower's been calling
I know she'll leave me in the morning
In hotel cells listening to dull tones
Remote controls and cable moans
In his drink he's been talking
Gets disconnected sleepwalking back home
Other people wouldn't like to hear you
If you said that these are the best days of our lives
Other people turn around and laugh at you
If you said that these are the best days of our lives
song performed by by Blur from The Great Escape
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Hometown
Jersey City is where I was born
I woke up to see many a dawns
It's not a bad city, it was a place to live
But there were many times it didn't forgive
The streets were tough, the winter's cold
It s city you can embrace, but one you can never hold
The streets will own you and rule you
There's not too much one can do
After some years you'll be ready to leave
It will no longer have the things you need
That's when you know it's time to leave
Because in the city you can longer believe
Now people grow up there and decide to stay
But so many many more just go a different way
6-18-10/RJH
poem by Ray Hansell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Compared To Many
No doubt you have your worries and times on you are tough
But you have a home to live in and you are not sleeping rough
Compared to many you are well off thousands die of hunger every day
And things for you could be far worse though you don't see it that way
Millions of poor people doing it tough in the bigger World out there
They know all about real poverty and they know about despair
They are the impoverished children of former children of the street
Who search the alley rubbish bins for thrown out food to eat
The victims of drug dealers already into crime
From poverty to narcotic use on their way to serving jail time
You've had a good upbringing though life hard on you of late
And like 'tis said all good things do come to those who wait
But compared to many you are well off those lost in their own despair
The children of the mean streets of the bigger World out there.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Down By The Seaside
(page/plant)
Down by the seaside. see the boats go sailin
Can the people hear, what the little fish are sayin
Oh, oh, the people turned away. oh, the people turned away
Down in the city streets, see all the folk go racin, racin
No time left, to pass the time of day
The people turned away. the people turned away
So far away, so far away
See how they run, see how they run, see how they run, see how they run.
Do you still do the twist
Do you find you remember things that well
I wanna tell you... some go twistin every day
Though sometimes its awful hard to tell
Out in the country, hear the people singin
Singin bout their progress, knowin where theyre goin
Oh, oh, oh, oh, the people turned away
Yes, the people turned away
Sing loud for the sunshine, pray hard for the rain
And show your love for lady nature. and she will come back again the people turned away
The people turned away
song performed by by Led Zeppelin
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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To me you are
To me you are the woman
that walks up and down
at the traffic light
and smiles almost shy,
when I look up
and still give a view
of her breasts
To me you are
the hunger and pain,
that I hear in the voices
of children in back streets
where they loose all courage.
To me you are
the crippled gum sniffing children,
that swing walk
with eyes without hope.
To me you are the vagrant,
that struggles along shuffling
and worries about the next
sleeping place and food
and smile without teeth
when he gets a few coins.
To me you are the beggar
who stands unobserved
at a busy traffic light,
while cars are streaming past
where nobody knows or comprehends
his despair.
To me you are the drug dealers
who hangs out in clubs
and look whom they can still catch,
with their contaminating
deadly poison.
To me you are the street thug,
that brakes car windows with bricks
and steal the valuables of people
and sell it at only a Rand or two.
To me you are the criminal
that steals cars in the streets
and are happy
with the despair,
that he is dealing out unscrupulous.
In reality you are the big city
that gives and takes,
where people live like termites
past each other
and rowed in,
as if others do not exist
To rather stay far away from it all
and to get rest and peace there
at times wants to take predominance,
but I love you
like a husband does his wife.
In you is where
some people still build dreams
and wish and live
and have an own place.
In you I see children
giving bread to birds
and people,
giving money to car guards.
In you are places
where people are making a living
and really help each other
and still I believe,
that in places in you
there are more good than evil.
poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Sojourner
Are your herds all dead
That you walk the street alone?
And do you have your own bed
When the toiling day is done?
City nomad without his herd
Wanderer, pilgrim of the mind
Wont you rest your tired head
You herdsman of a kind?
Were your ancestors cattle rearers
Who sought where grasses were green?
But you have mingled with the city dwellers
Leaving your herds either dead or lean
Tell me, city nomad
Why did you leave your father's way
And choose the city, tis' sad
That you roam the streets day by day
Or are you of the gypsy race
And your clan, minstrels and magicians?
Who wander from place to place
Sleeping and waking in caravans
Foxes have holes, and bird the trees
Do you have any to call your home?
Some live in houses, some in tents
Why do choose the streets to roam?
I am but a sojourner in every city
Seeking my God and the crown
And may he lead me to that heavenly city
A better place to call my own! !
poem by Okonkwo Osamedua. Allen
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I Believe In Pakistany People
I believe in Pakistany people
And there is something good in every pakistany people that I see
I believe in Pakistany People
Because they cross the streets of Pakistan everyday
And they have a dream about God
I believe in Pakistany people
Because the right time will come for them to worship God
I believe in Pakistany people
Because God will help them to get through the difficult times
I believe in Pakistany people
Because they believe in God the same way that I do
I believe in Pakistany people
Because they are rich inspirit but not in money
I believe in Pakistany People
Because they were created in God's image
I believe in Pakistany people
Because they are God's Children also
poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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For The Love Of Money
Money money money, money
Some people really need it (oh, well)
Some people got to have it (in vain)
Listen here yall, do things, do things, do bad things with it
So you will do things, do things, do good things with it
Talk about cash money, no help at all
For the love of money
People will steal from their mother
For the love of money
People will rob their own brother
For the love of money
People cant even walk the street
Because they never know who in the world they gotta beat
For that lean, mean, mean green
For the love of money
People will lie, lord, they will cheat
For the love of money
People dont care who they hurt or beat
For the love of money
A woman will sell her precious body
For a small piece of paper it carries a lot of weight
Call it lean, mean, mean green
Almighty dollar
I know money is the root of all evil
Do funny things to some people
Give me a nickel, brother can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds
Got to have it, I really need it
How many things have I heard you say
Some people really need it
How many things have I heard you say
Got to have it, I really need it
How many things have I heard you say
Lay down, lay down, a woman will lay down
For the love of money
All for the love of money
Dont let, dont let, dont let money rule you
For the love of money
Money can change people sometimes
Dont let, dont let, dont let money fool you
Money can fool people sometimes
song performed by by Utopia
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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if Only
'IF ONLY'
If only this world was perfect, perfect in every way.
If only people could live their lives in perfect harmony,
If only there were no wars, and worries and woes and strife,
If only people had no ailments, and were healthy in every way,
If only everybody was happy every single day,
If only there were no homeless folk shivering in the cold,
If only the streets were literally paved with gold,
If only old people didnt suffer when its cold,
If only there was no racism, and people of all types could get on,
If only there was employment for each and everyone,
If only no hearts were broken and each was happy with their lot,
If only their were no evil people who seemed to have lost the plot,
If only everybody in pain it would go so far away,
If only little children were not harmed in any way,
If only, If only.
David Bennett
poem by David Bennett
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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On Yonge Street
See the people walkin up and down
See the people movin all around
On the streets of my hometown on yonge street
Longest street in the world they say
Summertime soon slips away
I hope Ill see you one fine day on yonge street
Everywhere you go in a city by the lake
Back there in the flow you may give a hand a shake
Everyone you pass seems to wanna say hello
Even late at night on the freshly fallen snow
See the children jumpin all around
See the parents looking up and down
Upon the streets of my hometown on yonge street
Its a mean street if you choose
Its a lean street when you lose
An in-between street when you cruise on yonge street
Everywhere you go in a city by the lake
Youll be sure and find its a case of give and take
Everyone you pass seems to want to say hello
Even late at night when the streets are all aglow
Its the longest street in the world
With the most feet in the world
Another street where boy meets girl on yonge street
See the people walkin up and down
See the people movin all around
Those are the streets of my hometown on yonge street
Everywhere you walk people almost say hello
Even late at night when the streets are all aglow
On yonge street
On yonge street
song performed by by Gordon Lightfoot
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Under Pressure
Bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah
Bah bah bah bah bah bah
Pressure pressing down on me
Under pressure
That burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets
Bah bah bah bah bah bah
Bah bah bah bah bah bah
Thats o-kay!
Its the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming let me out
Pray tomorrow takes me higher
Pressure on people
Do do do bah bah bah bah
O-kay
Chippin around
Kick my brains around the floor
These are the days
It never rains it pours
People on streets
People on streets
Its the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming let me out
Pray tomorrow takes me higher
People people on streets
Turned away from it all
Like a blind man
Sat on fence but it dont work
Keep coming up with love
But its so slashed and torn
Why why why?
Love love love love
Insanity laughs under pressure were cracking
Cant we give ourselves one more chance?
Why cant we give love one more chance?
Why cant we give love give love give love?
Give love give love give love give love give love
Cause loves such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care
For people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way
Of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves under pressure
Under pressure pressure
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Della Brown
Youve got a cardboard house
Live there all the time
Keep your memories tied with string
The face that many once adored
Twenty years gone maybe more
Somewhere you lost the dream
Mama watched your every move, but now youre all alone
Shes been gone for awhile
Daddy left some time ago, fading years pass too slow
Hes the only one, could make you smile
Oh, youre still crying
Big city bound
Gona make your mark
Read your name in the lights
All the ads and people say, beauty lets you get you way
Tried your best to prove them right
But living on the streets aint bad, sad people make you glad
Pardon me, could you spare some change
-oh, youre still crying-
Street corner girl
Watch the crowd go by
Fill your tin can with life
Summer days tend to slip away
Like your men you couldnt make them stay
Hard to choose, whiskey or a wife
Sometimes you wonder wheres the end
Where you goin where you been?
Happiness seems so hard to win
Most never care to find
Della brown sees it al the time
Looking for that man to make her smile again
song performed by by Queensryche
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Find It Hard To Say
[Lauryn Hill Talking]
...I've written it about the whole Amadou Diallo situation...
...It was such a hot time in the city at that point, I was afraid that if I
put the record out, people would Misunderstand what I meant by "Rebel" and
they just take it to the streets...
[One and only verse]
Ok, yeah, alright...
I find it hard to say, that everything is alright
Don't look at me that way, like everything is alright
Cuz my own eyes can see, through all your false pretenses
But what you fail to see, is all the consequences
You think our lives are cheap, and easy to be wasted
As history repeats, so foul you can taste it
And while the people sleep, too comfortable to face it
His life so incomplete, and nothing can replace it
And while the people sleep, too comfortable to face it
Your lives so incomplete, and nothing can replace it
Fret not thyself I say, against these laws of man
Cuz like the Bible says, His blood is on their hands
And what I gotta say, and what I gotta say, is rebel
While today is still today, choose well
And what I gotta say, is rebel, it can't go down this way
Choose well, choose well, choose well...
...choose well, choose well, choose well
And while the people sleep, too comfortable to face it
Your lives are so incomplete, and nothing, and no one, can replace it
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
And what I gotta say, and what I gotta say
And what I gotta say, and what I gotta say
And what I gotta say, and what I gotta say
And what I gotta say, and what I gotta say
Is rebel... rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel
Rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel
Repent, the day is far too spent, rebel... rebel!
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up...
Wake up and rebel
We must destroy in order to rebuild
Wake up, you might as well
Oh are you... oh are you satisfied
Oh are you satisfied
Rebel... ohhh rebel
Why don't you rebel, why don't you rebel?
Why don't you rebel?
I'm fading myself down now...
song performed by by Lauryn Hill
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Burst
The girl that I know that is always talking is quiet today
I noticed it this morning
Today she is bursting in to tears
I will be nice and leave her alone
She sounds upset about something
It is the weather I believe
It does strange things to people
Sometimes it maked people tired
Sometimes it makes people cold
Sometimes it makes people hot
The weather influences people's lives
poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Traveling Day
Sorry to say, I'm leaving today
Far away from here
Sorry to say, traveling day
See the world appear
Won't have to ask what time of day
Won't care about tomorrow
Which menu will I choose
It's a blessing, to wake up in another place
No more spare change will I give
The streets will still be crowded
Another dollar spent
I'm packing I say, It's a gamble to stay
New faces new ways
So long Loanshark Johnny
Moonlight traces, morning graces.
Repeat Chorus
Fly on Yankee Clipper wings
Another unknown city, concrete standing tall
Directions ahead, Blackout ruins of a day
Expressions of the people passing by
I know they wonder why I look the way I do
Repeat pre-chorus
Saturday feels like another day, Sunday's gone it's another day
One day I'll be back again.
song performed by by 24-7 Spyz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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