Excerpt from ‘Homeless Not Hopeless’
Blustery weather brought her to mind the most and when the heavy downpour and a crash of thunder jolts him awake, followed by a bolt of lightning that brightens the night-sky and plays havoc with his poor eyes, he is immediately aware of her presence on Earth. He claims to be a descendant of the Sun and the Moon, darkness and light consume him; declares himself a deity, grand and immortal like a Roman God. She is alive and travels with the winds, at times soft and breezy, a soothing gentle caress. As the storm increases in intensity, gusts of cold air twisting and encircling, sharp drops stinging his skin, he trembles in the fetal position of post-slumber. A fierce blast rattles the limbs of the trees that are his shelter, snapping branches, showering leaves, warning of her impending approach. He imagines he can feel the woman’s wrath in its wail. Continue reading “Excerpt from ‘Homeless Not Hopeless’”
Diversity of Compassion
*previously published on http://www.homelessguide.com/
The morning sun brightens Streetgirl’s long hair and tans her face as she stands at the ramp holding a sign that says, “BROKE + HUNGRY – PLEASE HELP – GOD BLESS – PEACE.” A line from the chorus of a Rag’N’Bone Man’s song is rolling repeatedly through her mind, “Don’t put your blame on me.” The earworm has been wedged for days, but should clear out soon to be replaced by another. Last week it was The Beatles, “Here comes the sun.”
On the red light a female driving a black van and wearing a niqab pulls to a stop. She happens to lock eyes with Streets who beams broadly, because that is the way she is. It’s impossible to tell if the devout Muslim smiles back from beneath the heavy veil, but she is moved by the moment, reaching for her clutch and scooping out a handful of coins to pass to the panhandler without a word.
Soon after, a woman of Asian descent, behind the wheel of a small red car, silver electrical tape holding the side mirror together and rust circling the door; she stretches out her arm with an offering of two sweet clementine in hand. Continue reading “Diversity of Compassion”
We are Canadian
I took this photo late November 2012. Looking at it today, I am still stricken by the incongruity of the Nike symbol on the shoes and the Canadian flag hanging so prominent; bold statements in a harsh environment. Jeff is resting his bare feet behind this makeshift shelter when I snap the shot. Unbeknownst to both of us at the time, in the frigid winter of 2014 the homeless man will lose two toes to frostbite and never wear his shoes the same.
A Dog’s Eye View – What’s in a Name?
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”(Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare)
That’s my homeless friend Joseph! Let me introduce myself. The name is Keeba. Big Sister bestowed it when she chose me out of all other puppies at the busy pet store in Fairview Mall near where Mom and Sis used to live back in the year 2004. I’ll never forget that day! Continue reading “A Dog’s Eye View – What’s in a Name?”
Turn on the Heat
October 2017: There is a row of shrubs growing along the back fence, Forsythia, named after Scottish botanist William Forsyth (1737-1804). Continue reading “Turn on the Heat”
Much appreciated
Streetgirl was up at the Ramp on Saturday and spotted a pile of samples of Aveeno Yogurt Skin Moisturizing Lotion which were strewn upon the ground beside the garbage bag used by panhandlers who frequent the spot. Someone must have dropped them off only to have their gift tossed aside. She hates seeing things wasted, so decided to pick the jars up. Continue reading “Much appreciated”
