Homeless and lonely, penniless he begs,
Even on coldest days, and with some luck
Society delivers him its dregs:
A handout given, while his wobbly legs
Hobble him to the next queued car or truck.
Homeless and lonely, penniless he begs,
While his attire, his awkward phrasing pegs
Him as a destitute whom ill-luck struck,
Society delivers him its dregs
Not with consistency, though it reneges
No promise made—and so, to gain a buck,
Homeless and lonely, penniless he begs,
And with persistent pressure goads and eggs
On passers-by some refuse cash to pluck.
Society delivers him its dregs
On this occasion—he may drink from kegs,
Detractors say—bill taken, so to tuck.
Homeless and lonely, penniless he begs,
Society delivers him its dregs.