John, not his real name,
Arrives on an old bicycle
He smells
He is a raconteur
Has lived life
He drinks
Hates his hostel
Despairs of his social worker
He rages
Benefits stopped again
Mates taking advantage
He rants
He wasn’t born to fail
This wasn’t the plan
He hurts.
Carrying his food away
On the handle bars
He waves.
(published in Have You Ever Seen a Cow Eat Eggs?)
image © Salvatore Rubbino