Poet's award-winning verse inspired by life on the streets

A POEM about being homeless and penniless in Bradford has won its author a writing award.

Forgotten, by Martin Sasbry, is included in a book of creative writing and photography produced by Bradford charity Artworks Creative Communities and Bradford Alliance on Community Care.

The idea for the competition came from Gary Staniforth, who had spent time in homeless hostels and had seen how many people used writing to express themselves.

Workshops were held in hostels across Bradford to develop skills in in writing, rap and photography.

The book, titled Forgotten after Mr Sasbry’s winning entry, is being launched in Bradford on January 27, with backing from musicians Jules Abbott and Boff Whalley of Leeds band Chumbawamba.

All contributors to the collection have been homeless or experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.

An Artworks spokesman said: “The result is a thought-provoking and often heartstring-tugging collection of poems and photographs that challenges stereotypes and gives the homeless a voice.”

n Martin Sasbry’s prize-winning poem:

Cast out by the affluent, into the city streets.

The poor and the hurting, the broken and the beat.

Left to roam the dark alleys dying in their shame,

With nowhere left to go to escape their pain.

The food is so scarce, they’re malnourished and they’re cold.

The drugs rob their minds, while their broken bodies grow old.

Tears run down their cheeks as the days do slowly pass.

The day they drop down dead, will be the day they’re free at last.

They know a life of poverty, they know nothing but fear and death.

They know a life of drugs, Heroin, Crack and Meth.

You can sometimes hear them crying, crying out to God above.

While they’re begging for your spare change, they’re longing just for love.

These are the FORGOTTEN people whose lives are governed by dope.

These are the FORGOTTEN people who’ve given up all hope.