Because of You

by Beatrice Marshall

Because of you I have lied, borrowed and stolen.
Because of you we have done without.
Because of you my family stopped trusting me.
Because of you I’ve been hurt and confused and depressed.
Because of you we will never have a decent home.

And now because of me I don’t have to lie, borrow or steal.
Because of me we will have nice things.
Because of me I will gain my families trust once again.

I don’t feel depressed and unsure of which way I want to go.
I don’t have to hurt any more because of you.
I know in my heart someday I will have the home and things I want for myself and my kids...

Because of me... not because of you.

Copyright NEOCH and the Homeless Grapevine published 1998 Issue 25