Originally published in The Lake, April 2015 issue. Originally written in Washington, DC in early 2015, exact date unknown.
Don’t freeze.
Get a big bag for your stuff.
A suitcase if you can afford it;
Otherwise buy a box of garbage bags,
Double-bag your stuff
And throw the rest of the box inside.
Don’t freeze.
Make sure to call the shelter hotline
If it’s going to be below freezing.
They’ll come pick you up.
They’re nice like that.
They don’t want you to freeze.
When you get to the shelter,
Spray down your cot with lice and bedbug spray.
It’s either your hair or the lice.
It’s self-defense.
Don’t freeze;
When you wake up, head to a day shelter.
Try to get into a program so you won’t freeze.
Be patient. Things take time.
Accept any money you’re offered.
Remember you’re not arguing with your brother
over who is picking up the check at Trop d’argent.
You’re homeless, so show some humility.
Take the damn money.
Take it,
and don’t freeze.