The men who reside at
the shelter,
are supposedly -

hardened men.

Outlaw Josey Wales types
who make tumbleweeds roll when
they spit..

The kind of man The Eagles
wrote songs about,
and buzzards are shot

for following..

I live in a shelter myself,
not out of choice,
but because -

I’m stipulated..

While I’m writing my poetry,
calling in to check on
my grandmother and making
grocery lists,
they’re watching
the game,
bragging about all
the pussy they never
get,
mooching cigarettes,
and laughing
about

how soft I am.

I’m the type The Eagles wrote
songs about..

I don’t need a piece of
ass to make me feel like
a man,
I buy and roll my own
tobacco so I don’t have
to bum any smokes,
and the only games I’m
concerned about,
are the ones I play with
words,
while breaking bread
with the pigeons,
and flying back
home -

at dawn.

Bob Boston