it was a home
away from home
a place
a rest stop
between roams
slightly stable
even though
the floors creaked
and the walls
seeped in tales
that no one knew
and the new
would be trash talk
when there was nothing notable
to say
the rooms dark and somewhat dingy
not filthy
but far from fresh & clean
there were no real meals
but everyone sat at the table
with saddened laughter
tying them together
in a silent understanding
of brotherhood

it was still
a place to rest one’s head
much…………… much……………much
better than a park bench

had been home
away from home