Did you ever keep a homeless person warm for the winter?

Question

Homeless Man And The Coat*


I thought it was very cold
That December night...
While driving to my warm
Home.

Until I saw that man, alone,
By the side of the bayou.
He had lit a fire...
Standing too close
In a shirt and pants...
Holding out his hands to
The warmth.

I drove to a place to turn
Around...went back, thinking
There might be danger if
I stop. I stopped...
Gave him my coat.
It was too large on me.

When I drove off, he was putting
That coat on.

Now, he may have done drugs,
May have drank,
May have been a crazy,
Old sort...
But, he wouldn't be cold again
With
The coat.

Elysabeth Faslund...Poemhunter.com

Answer 1

thank you dearly for showing us this
but no i have never even thought to try and keep a homeless man warm and now i feel almost ashamed

Answer 2

Actually I used to vollunteer at our church several weekends thru the winter months. It required setting up cots and places to sleep, preparing and service food (which we purchased out of our own pockets) and cleaning up afterwards, having entertainment through out the evening. Making certain every one was tucked in for the night. Then the next morning making breakfast, serving and cleaning up. So I think you could consider that keeping someone warm, although not in the same way as you have done. Yours is truly lovely.

Answer 3

Yes. I sometimes chat with the drug dealing homeless drug-addict who sits at my door. Although I have to admit my feelings toward him have cooled considerably since he puked on said door. He was there last Christmas eve, he'd had a family dinner but left because everyone was drunk and fighting. He scares me, but I do feel sorry for him.

Answer 4

that is something really beautiful what you have done it tells me that you are a selfless person and in to days world i don't know how many others would have done this.To your question no i haven't taken in a homeless person i am a Young single woman with my son and that could put us at risk i am not saying it would but i am not willing to take that chance ,the same reason you dint get out of your care but i do give money to the salvo's so i do my bit that way

Answer 5

I have given coats, blankets and socks. they really need socks. I think it is a shame that most people only see, feel for or care to help the homeless at this time of year. they are just as homeless in june...thank you for sharing the sentiment, it has at least warmed hearts...

Answer 6

the content of the poem may not be factual but it really moves the reader...i really think its a coincedence when this morning i was just thinking of having read a short story in 12 grade on similar topic..its really cold here and i was simply pondering over the plight of the homeless....and now i m reading it here.so touching.yes i do something out of humanity..though while helping most of us think what the benificiary would do with our aided penny.

Answer 7

my shop is on main st.,as in any given city,laden with the torn an tattered.one cold morn,fellow came in and asked me if i had something he could do to earn a bit of $ for food?thought to myself yea right need a bottle of wine.his eyes were clear,honest desperate.gave him 10 bucks.he thanked me and said "i owe ya boss".bout 1 month later came a heavy snow.got to the shop,there stood the tattered man,says"where's the snow shovel boss,i owe ya".he worked his *** off for over an hour.got busy ,i did.looked outside to check on him.there stood the shovle up against the building.no sight of the tattered man.thought to myself,there must be hope for humaniny after all.never saw the man again.
a true story.
nice poem up top there.
best to all this season.
D.

Answer 8

I love it. We take up coats for the Homeless Every year around this season. Beautiful. Love it.

Answer 9

Nope but I have fed many and even bought a bus ticket to get a guy home who was in a bad way and homeless.

Nice poem also.

Answer 10

yes i have and i will again. hello drool. if you ever become homeless and come to my house i would not set you on fire, i would give you a warm coat, a meal, and a place to sleep for the night.