More Than My Prayers (Poverty) Poem by A. P. Hancock

Dedicated to All Our Homeless Friends Around the World

I saw my old friend Cal today, as he went through the morning trash.
He’d been in the Bars and Striper’s Club, cause he needed a place to crash.
You see my Cal does what it takes, for three squares, a roof and a bed.
Cause summertime in the Big Ol’ Easy, can hurt a fellow dead.
A. P. Hancock

Hey there my old Doc, ” Cal said, “How the world you been?
I guess you knew the Blue Boys got me, and took me away again.
The Floor Walkers treated me mighty nice, and the grub was a-number-one.
But they had to let me out you know, cause my 30 days were done.”

It was hard for me to understand, that jail was the best he could do.
Surely the street wasn’t half as bad, as staying with the lockup crew.
But once again I was wrong again, and Cal told me just how it was
When the days are burners and he can’t get food, no matter what he does.

I told him it was good to see him back, and doing so very fine.
I told him to let me know what he needed, except for that blueberry wine.
We shook hands and went our separate ways, as I gave him a few of my spares.
But I knew that day within my heart, Cal needed more than my prayers.