Sometimes I Wake Up Poem by Murphy Payne

Although padded down
With blankets and rags
Sometimes I wake up from
The hardness of the concrete floor
With soreness in some body parts
I wobble up and stretch

Although wearing my clothes
Under one covered blanket
Sometimes I wake up from
The coldness seeping throughout my body
First my feet, then my hands
An uncovered face will soon be next

But unlike so many others
I do wake up
And I give thanks
For that crook in my neck
The coldness in my bones
And the urine in my bladder

I seek relief from all three
MacDonald’s is nearby I can brush my teeth
I don’t drink coffee but I have a cup
I inhale the steam to touch my throat
I take a sip and suck it down
My nerves chill and thank me

My car is good and I can buy a little gas
I wait for Borders’ opening
Where I can relax with a
Few good books and a cup of tea
I never finish one
But always my tea

Although unshaven, but still neat
People look at me as I am human
Not knowing I am homeless
They say hello, I smile and return it
Sometimes we chat weather
Which I don’t want to

Someday, I won’t wake up