Homeless Quote by Charles Simic
““On this Very Street in Belgrade" Your mother carried you Out of the smoking ruins of a building And set you down on this sidewalk Like a doll bundled in burnt rags, Where you now stood years later Talking to a homeless dog, Half-hidden behind a parked car, His eyes brimming with hope As he inched forward, ready for the worst.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “On this Very Street in Belgrade”, published in 1994 collection “The World Doesn’t End”
A vivid scene of a child’s survival amid war ruins, finding hope in a stray dog despite devastation.
In simple terms: War ruins, a child finds hope with a dog.
Key Takeaway
Seek compassion even in devastation.
Themes
war
survival
hope
Mood
somber
empathetic
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- refugee camps
- post‑war reconstruction
- mental health support
Key Concepts
humanity
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we support children in war zones?
- What does the dog symbolize?
A Different Perspective
The poem may romanticize suffering.
