Man Down: Death in the Breadline

among the homeless of the Plaza in Old Towne Orange California

What I heard was he died in the breadline
At St. John's there on Saturday morning
Where I stood once when he without warning
Fell on his face there yet got up just fine

I was relieved then so disbelieved when
At first I heard the worst by word one day
Of his homeless homeboy who hurt to say
Though in life our friend posed toughest of all
Once dead seemed just a broken victim then

We find it surprising when tough guys fall
When they turn out fragile like us instead
Then sometimes they never get up again

I told him what he knew that none is tough
Especially an exposed hairless beast
Who once rough and ready became just rough
The police said they were pleased he was dead
Falling filthy at the foot of the feast

Dressed like the rest in hollowed hallowed ground
Recatholicized hands pose as to pray
Putrefying in a more perfect way
His cause of death is really that he drowned

+Steven Curtis Lance



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