He walks the roads
lost and alone
in the concrete jungle
caught between
loneliness and fear
in isolation
Passerbys circle around him
not seeing or ignoring
not knowing he is loved
by a parent
a child
a friend
He is one of many
the invisibles
seen, but unseen
struggling to survive
cast out
but never forgotten
There are those
who would help him
if only he’d allow it
unleashing
stubbornness, perhaps pride
but he walks on
The reins are held tightly
until hands bleed
not realizing
that without letting go
one cannot grab hold
of life’s offerings.
Change comes
to those ready
the climb is steep
the rise harder
than the fall
but the reward is sweet
If only he were willing
but until then
he walks
the streets
and shelters
where he can.
His mother cries
for a son
she cannot reach
for a change
that never comes
but holds hope still
She feels it
when she sees them
the others
who walk the same path
and she wonders
who they belong to
The stories are similar
the pain the same
for the children
who walk
lost and alone
in the concrete jungle
© Leslie C Dobson
If you liked this poem, you can find additional ones on the poetry page of my website.