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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2011)
Street roots June 24, 2011 Sick in Metropolis What We Don’t Know Will Hurt Us (Silence Will Not Protect You) By Shannon Andrews by april burns How I see this man in Portland, Dying of AIDS. I see you on the Max train almost every day, Begging for money, your clothes tattered, a graven image worn out from civilization. so strange___hazy; unclear a tree of life grows green/gold aura surrounds sending strong roots to connect with all our lives red heartblood mixes with brown earth ..... but street roots have grown dis/coiinected from (un)respectable society rooted in consumption riches of the earth run. red steal people's dignity whose? which roots? what is real... depends on which type of root you are nourished by , grow tangled/overlapping realities resonate/bleed with compassion for our fellow beings a support system grows roots become strong gems sparkle amongst; wink purple, green, gold, growing rise up to support us all I pity you, if I had all the money in the world, I would give you the proper care you need. As I, waitressing at a local diner You come in for a cup of coffee. The reek and filth that carries you from the outside elements has not improved your condition. Weak and barely speaking, you utter a conversation to me and I offer to buy you breakfast. You accept my offer but with your demise you can barely consume the hot meal. Months go by and I see you again along my corridors of life You are now bound in a wheelchair, still begging for money. You are skinny as a rail and your condition has progressed into a frail man. I approach you and ask howyou are, and give you my almost-broke savings. “God Bless you, I hope th e best for you and why must you suffer? Get some help, I know i t ’s out there.” DETOUR I feel sorry for you as a lost soul and a never forgotten face and I go on life’s journey thinking of you time to time wondering if you’re still alive, o r gotten the help and care you need, A man with AIDS is a death sentence there is a more need for care for those that are terminally ill. 3035 S .E . D ivision • P ortlan d , O R 97202 503.234.7499 If I had all the- irtorrey in th e World;- > i ■ He’d be the first person I would help. If you’re out there, get the care you need. Everyone loves you, You are a young dieing man. M ir a d o r . COMMUNITY « ♦ ïfr» Meet Your Local Branch Manager: ""Communities arentjust streets and build ings, Communities are thriving places where cultures, commerce a n d souls grow stronger together,* - M a ty Mary Edmeades Social impact Banking .. Member J LENDER bs 5.PE ï £ At Albina Community Bank the most ordinary financial transaction can have an extraordinary impact on our local community. You're going to bank sœiewhere, why not let your banking make a difference in the places where you live and work? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ „ . . ----------------------- Vendors are regular contributors to Street Roots content, including columnists, poets and artists. Look fo r your favorite vendor’s writings in each edition o f the paper. ‘ ’T ’ » T F ’ > T F ■ ” Canning jars & equipment, cookware, kitchen tools & appliances Organic cotton sheets, towels, & blankets N a tu ra l K itchen & Honte Food dryers 2106 SE D ivision 503«231’ 5175 Books on meat-free cooking, gardening & sustainability m ira d o rc o m m u n ity s to re .c o m M n n -S a t 1 0 -6 • S u n 11-5 Juicers
