Society can make me so sad

I’m writing this from the tube. Nearly opposite me is an older guy. He doesn’t smell so good, he doesn’t seem like a tramp, but he’s almost certainly a wino judging from the Gin he’s pouring into a Lucasade bottle.

When I sat down this end of the carriage was deserted. I saw people actually get up and move to other seat to be away from this undesirable. He’s not hurt anyone, he’s not being crazy, or violent, or even loud. He’s just quietly sitting. I don’t enjoy the smell, but I can’t imagine the continued hurt that is done to him by the obvious avoidance of my fellow Londoners.

It makes me sad that London has people who turn to drink, it makes me sadder that some people can’t deal with it to the extent that they won’t even sit near him. Rosemarie and I give to Shelter periodically. I think it’s part of living in a city that you should take some responsibility for it’s underbelly. Maybe I’m being cynical, but I don’t think that the people wanting to forget this lonely guy exist are doing the same. I just wish they cared.

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