I used to be rich <br />I had a big house with a big backyard <br />I spent all my money away like it was water <br />The little money I had left I gave it away <br />When it was gone I had lost my house, my job, and my friends <br />Today I am a beggar on the street <br />My best friend is a bottle of rum <br />As I beg for money on the street everyone that passed by me <br />Had noticed that I was dirty <br />No one wants a beggar for a friend <br />I have nowhere else to go except to live on the street <br />I am getting old and my life is passing me by <br />There are wrinkles on my face <br />I can hardly walk straight anymore because I am almost always drunk <br />I drink too much <br />I am a beggar what else should I do than drink <br />That’s what beggars do best <br />I know that one day my heart will give out and I will die <br />When I was rich I wasn’t happy with my life <br />Of course I had lots of friends <br />They didn’t stay around for too long <br />My money finished and I became a beggar <br />They tell me I have no shame <br />I would rather live in a refuge camp than live on the street <br />The streets are dirty and filthy <br />At least there would be water to drink, food, and shower <br />If I am lucky on a good day I get enough money to buy me a bottle of Rum and a doughnut to eat <br />On a bad day I just have to starve <br />I know I am dirty and smelly <br />There are no showers or washrooms on the street <br />I would love one <br />Soon will be winter and I will go to a men’s shelter <br />There I will get some food, a hot shower, and a warm bed for once<br /><br />Aldo Kraas<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-beggar-on-the-street/
