the poem to make you feel bad about bums

"open and shut"

I am made out of something
most people can't see
they tell themselves one thing
and step over me
my cardboard sign hangs
at a despondent angle from my hands
I've kind of given up on it
as a strategy.
I was a once a kid
mom said big plans
bright-eyed
the future lied
but it keeps coming forward anyway
for me
stepping right up towards me,
as if I don't know what it holds! - and
stepping over

the future wears the suit
and carries the case
I always pictured me having,
never knowing what for -
I'd slide casually behind
some hardwood desk, swing
the case up, slap
it down, spin it
around, snap
it open

now shut.