People on the streets
By Desmond Smyth
People on these streets of old Belfast, so cold and dirty, but the banter was ever so mighty. Penniless, homeless and now careless.
People on the streets, under pressure, bills piling high, stress at home getting worse, but wait, I’m just sweet 16 and on the streets.
Sweet 16 and never been kissed. Now overnight I’m a man, now living on the streets of Royal Avenue in that old Belfast. Drink and drugs and sleeping rough, those sleepless nights and scary sights, but wait — I’m just sweet 16 and now living on a giro.
Everyone has a story, their life made easier now on these rough old paths of the ever-changing city.
Shoving, hungry, always drunk, living my best life in my wee cardboard box with no bills to pay.
Just 16, the world should be at my feet. Looking ahead — the trouble, the crimes, tears of fear, tears of joy. Some days thanking my God for my time on these streets.
Every day now the same, every day ending with a Y. Skinny, hairy, stinking of pee — such a life for the old man living on the streets in that 16-year-old body.
To be truthful, being homeless changed my life. Those corners made my name, every flag brought a new day, every dawn brought a smile, even though my world was so sad.
I had so many let-downs, many lockdowns, kicked so low and never knew where my next meal was coming from.
Then came hope, a sunshine, and along came MACS. They walked into my life when I needed it the most. Just like that, it opened up so many doors.
They took my hand, gave me a home and got me back on my feet. I couldn’t settle. The sound of silence made me deaf, the guilt of being in a warm home while there were still so many on the street.
Now, 20 years from when I was on those streets, where I suffered my losses and felt the joy, the happiness, the cold and noise.
20 years on, I walk those streets and still not a change in sight, every corner of those streets now filled.
Lots more pain, lots more stories, even much younger. But now so much help from those 20 years ago. But now I stop, I think and ask: why are there still so many people on our streets?