Only In The Winter Poem by David Harris

Why is it only in the winter
that we notice them?
The vulnerable on our streets,
the runaways and those
who have lost their way.
They are there all year around
in their cardboard houses
the places they call home.

Why is it only in the winter
that we finally become aware?
In the big cities, they are everywhere.
When the city goes to sleep
some huddle in doorway shelters,
where they sleep
covered in newspaper blankets
just to keep them warm.

Why is it only in the winter
we want to notice them?
They are there through
all the four seasons,
yet it is only in the winter
their plight becomes newsworthy.
What happened to spring summer and fall?
Don’t those seasons count at all.
They are still vulnerable
in whatever season comes to call,
the runaways and those
who have lost their way.

Why is it only in the winter
that we open our blind eyes
to the plight of these vulnerable lives?
Sadly, to a lot of us
it is only in the winter
and its freezing chills
that we suddenly realize
those less fortunate than ourselves.
However, they are there
everyday of every year
and not just only in the winter.

15 December 2009