From Seven Floor Up

I had a hard time following this poem. I could not tell if the author had some sort of reverence for the homeless or disgust. After reading it twice I believe that she is distancing herself from the homeless because maybe she feels deep inside that she could be homeless in a matter of moments herself. She compares homelessness to death, a fact with which we all cannot avoid. This to me shows her denial. Denial is the first step to acceptance.

I do like the way she compares the homeless man to a revolutionary person. I believe she has some reverence for him as she views him because she does not see him as small like most of might when looking at him from seven stories up. Instead she compares him to an individual who led people. Does she see him as a leader? I think she admires his ability to live without the conveniences she missed while in the wilderness. She comments on hugging a toilet. There is dependence on modern conveniences.

Her final line seems to sum up all of her thoughts. She realizes that she has it easy as she considers it her birth. I believe that she can feel some empathy for this homeless man and some respect as he forges on in the November cold. At least I think it is cold by her description of the wind and bare trees.