HOMELESS VETERAN

As I stood in a long line,
I picked up plastic spoon and bowl,
The food smells good,
aromas bring back childhood days of tomato soup warm and crackers.
The children go by quickly;
some can't eat because their fingers are cold from the streets.
I am still hungry,
thinking of the long chow lines in Nam.
My hair is uncombed
and street dirt covers my shoes, mainly from long walks today.
The shelter folks try hard
knowing their meals must feed their flock.
The lunch lines get longer and longer
as cries of "I'm Hungry" are heard at noon and 5 o'clock.
I know because I have been in many shelters
as the many homeless vets join me in this one.
Sometimes I take my cookies and banana
and save it for my night snack,
thanks from all the homeless vets.

©Copyright December 1, 2004 by Darby Diana

Having been a homeless female veteran, this is written with memories of the streets.