it’s a crime
sleeping outdoors in public spaces
is now a crime in some towns
better order more cots, hire more guards,
plan three squares a day to feed the inmates
how long will you hold them
out of public sight and mind
and will you give them the tools
and the will to make the climb
on the day they’re released
where would you have them go
will you walk them through red-tape forests
to a paycheck and a place to call home
how many jails will you build
to hold so many doing time