Solace

Belongings in a Rucksack

Solace

When you've got solace

Don't need drink or drugs

I cut myself off for a good reason

A good reason, for

Solace

Talks

In loving kindness

Demons and devils

Leave

They can't handle

Love

Solace

Speaks in sweet tongues

Gives you years

The locusts have eaten

The messed up life

The gutter.

I will supper with you

Don't snub me, bring

Blessings anew each morning

Shining like a diamond

The world washes you with

Solace.

Michael Kane

March 2015

Poem from The Homeless Library, the first history of British homelessness. Told through poems, interviews, artworks and handmade books. 

A documentary film about the project can be found here.

I have looked down the saddest city lane

Detail of the book The Darkness Comes

Had no sleep last night or

Today.

Blows your head up

Memory lose, confused.

The drink and drugs they kill you

On the street, but

What keeps you alive?

Drink and the drugs.

On the street I can't 

Sleep in a doorway.

So

MacDonalds 6.30 am:

I snooze with the early

boozers, they're not bothered.

I'm clear-eyed, but alcohol and drugs

Are spending all my money.

My circumstances

Shoplifting.

It's a full time job in

Itself.

Sniff coke, I’m a good bloke

Smoke crack, I’m scum.

Depression, sore back

Tube rammed up me nose.

To be well? Happiness

My girl, a moment of fun.

What would make me better is

A house.

Peter, Brian, Tom, Anonymous

9 June 2015

Poem from The Homeless Library, the first history of British homelessness. Told through poems, interviews, artworks and handmade books. 

A documentary film about the project can be found here.

Dodge

Steve Scallon, photo Paul Jones

Dodge the puddles and the cars

Dodge the lights and the queues

Dodge the rain and the ice

Dodge the pub and the bookies

Dodge the drink and the smoke

Steve Scallon

Poem from The Homeless Library, the first history of British homelessness. Told through poems, interviews, artworks and handmade books. 

A documentary film about the project can be found here.

Acquainted

The Darkness Comes, Danny Collins

On the street it's

Easy addiction

Gets you through the day

The night.

What makes you well is

Seeking help

What stops you is

Not knowing how to ask

Pride keeps you

From asking. Me

I rarely get ill

The outside life makes you immune.

I have been acquainted with the night

Sunday night went into a low

Went under, by a canal, under a bridge

Sat early hours watching the stars

It's looking up, isn't it?

Sometimes I think

When I can't get any lower

Only one way left - look up.

Someone asked "Don't you want

To get back to what you were?"

I said no. Said

That's what put me here.

Danny Collins

9 June 2015

Poem from The Homeless Library, the first history of British homelessness. Told through poems, interviews, artworks and handmade books. 

A documentary film about the project can be found here.