-The Outlaw- 

See the big tall man with raggedy knee torn jeans and
holes in his shoes, searching 
for a place to sleep? See him,
know that he is a criminal of the highest degree,
nefarious villain and lawbreaker. His crime is
not the knife he keeps
(for peeling fruit mostly, or self-defense in worst case scenarios) 
nor is this a crime of disturbance, 
he is not experiencing a high, a delusion, or an episode. 
No, instead our outlaw, vagabond and tramp has
committed the most serious offense of carrying with him,
a pillow. 
Certain state governments call this man 
‘lawbreaker’ or perhaps, more fantastically,
a scourge on society, for the dastardly 
deed of wanting peaceful sleep. 
Well not on America’s watch, partner. 
It’s perfectly fine for you to lack four walls and a roof, 
but if you think for a second you’ll
peacefully lay your head down in public
then I guess we’re squarin’ off,
a high noon saloon showdown, 
the leather boot of justice poised, drawn at the ready 
to positively stamp down this voracious evil. 
‘Pillows and blankets are for homeowners,’
American Justice says snobbishly. 
‘Or renters,’ chimes in Capitalism. 
‘Never mind school shooters!’
cry police and judges, ‘There are PEOPLE 
SLEEPING
OUTSIDE!’ 
And just for once, I would like to hear
the same exact sentence with a different tone. 
People are sleeping outside, wept the congressmen. 
People are sleeping outside, said an embarrassed and befuddled mayor. 
People are sleeping outside, said the legal eagles, refusing to prosecute anyone
except those who perpetuated the current unsustainable system. 
Instead the people repeating this phrase the most
are caretakers and community leaders, 
the so called ‘woke’ and aware and the houseless themselves. 
There are people. People. And they are sleeping outside. 
But the coppers, silver hairs, 
and A+ platinum gold standard Nimby’s 
say it with a chuckle and a
typically quippy line about trying harder or boot straps. 
They shake their heads and their one collective brain cell
and they almost smile. 
See the big tall man with the raggedy knee torn jeans and 
holes in his shoes searching for a place to sleep?
See him and know you are one calamity away from being criminalized
for wanting sleep. 
Peace. 
For carrying a pillow.