The Homeless Crisis (swear word!)

[Todd]

Hi Hannah,

I haven't read any of the comments so there might be some repetition.

Sage, shaman, wise man, wizard,
the man walks down the centuries--consider reversing line 1 and 2. A statement makes a better opening than a list.
burdened by layers of cloth, layers of memory,
layers of grime and shit and earth,--I'm not sold on the repetition of layers or of the sequence of items. Layers in itself isn't bad as it reminds me of strata and plays off the "down the centuries" idea. I think you may want to move your diction closer to your imagery (burdened replaced by wrapped perhaps). For sequencing, you may want to move from physical to abstract (menaing end with memory). If you could cut the word layers down to one instance it might be stronger.
all billowing out around him--You don't need all
like the people around him,
billowing out to avoid his stench,
his touch, his gaze. And what stories
are there behind his outstretched hand--you don't need "there"
and his downcast eyes and his plea
for the quarters in your pocket?
He keeps his stories. Keeps them hidden,
stowed away in the same place
that God hides his secrets, his loose socks,--The God hides his secrets is a great line. I think you diminsh it with the socks part (it's not a bad idea in itself just steals the force from the line in this construction). 
his blueprints and his grand designs,
which are perhaps not so complicated
as we would like to think--You start with the person and you end a little too soft to me. This is where you should probably concentrate your edit. The ending needs more oomph.

I do like the work. I hope the comments are helpful though.

Best,

Todd