6
Street roots
I I 1 ^ 1 *
r <t t r " <
Tw, ’J3’~ ’V '
Poetry
Dec. 21, 2012
‘~w
Vendor sends the
happiest of holiday
wishes to customers
By David Mair
“10/23”
Throw a stone see it ripple
Throw a bone see it whistle
Be a beacon of love to grow
Throw a smile see it missile
BY ANN-DERRICK GAILLOT
C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R
“11/1”
The first is most like
the last for they both push one
toward the next step
“9/10”
Step forward oh gallant men of action
Strong hands leave soft hearts
quick with decision
left before your horses have said goodbye
Bray most families neigh in unison
ne of the first things Wayne Moore
tells me upon our meeting is how
pleasant his vendor spot is in front of
the Starbucks at Northwest 21st Avenue
and Lovejoy. “It’s got outdoor heaters and
an overhang for when it rains. It’s nice.”
Despite these features, Wayne is still
warmly dressed, prepared for cold winds,
rain showers or both. He is bundled up in
layers and his white hair curls out from
underneath a dark beanie covered by a
waterproof hat. Being a Portland native,
Wayne is used to the unpredictable weather.
Several times during our conversation
Wayne stops to greet passersby as they
enter and exit the coffee shop. Once a
young lady dressed in scrubs smiles and
O
Wayne Moore
When I dare to be
powerful, to use my
strength in the
service of my vision,
then it becomes less
and less im p o rta n t ■
whether I am afraid.
-Audre Lorde
www.tprojects.org
«
i o
n
waves to Wayne, who responds straightaway
with a hearty “Good Morning!” He turns to
me and says, “That’s why I do this, for
smiles like those.”
Wayne commits himself to selling Street
Roots seven days a week as a way of helping
cover his rent and food costs; however, he
views his job more as a public service than
a sales position. “The way I see it,” he says,
“I’m getting paid to brighten up people’s
days.” And brighten up people’s days he
does. The commuters rushing past, hands
m th e ir pockets, headphones plugged in
their ears, are lost in that familiar mindless
hustle to quickly get where they are headed.
Yet somehow Wayne manages to snap
people out of it long enough to greet him or
buy a copy of the paper. Blank and serious
faces melt away as Wayne reaches out with
a polite grin or a “Hello.”
P H O T O BY COLE M ERK EL
Wayne especially brightens up whenever
he sees one of his, what he calls, “regulars,”
of which he seems to have many. But rarer
are those regulars who address Wayne by
name. “Some people know my name, but
some people, we know each other by face.
It’s nice when they take the time to learn
my name though. That’s why I try to wear
t h i »,” h e say sy-showing off his Street Roots
vendor badge.
Although he doesn’t know everyone by
name, Wayne still seems to have made a
considerable impression on the area’s
commuters. At Thanksgiving, Wayne
received dozens of Starbucks gift cards.
Ever since then he’s been enjoying a daily
morning coffee alongside his regulars before
heading outside to sell Street Roots.
It seems that what Wayne relishes most
about being a vendor is being able to
connect with people who otherwise would
remain strangers to him. He never once lets
me forget how much he loves the people
who have become familiar to him over his
year as a Street Roots vendor. Before I leave
Wayne makes sure to remind me what,
above all, he wants included in his vendor
profile: “All I really want to say is Merry
Christmas to all my customers. Make sure
you put that in!” So, to all of those strangers
who have become his customers and
friends, Merry Christmas from Wayne.
s
Tis the Season
By Paula Ramirez
Answers to puzzles on page 15
Tis the season to be jolly.
Tis the season for eggnog and holly.
Tis the season for ice and snow.
Tis the season for warm places to go.
Tis the season for scarves and boots.
Tis always the season
to give the gift of Street Roots.
CORRECTION
Street Roots strives for accuracy, but we're
human. So we also strive to correct errors in our
oaper whenever possible. Please report any errors
:o our managing editor, Joanne Zuhl, at 503-228-
5657, or write to joanne@streetroots.org
3
8
6
9
8
L p 6 9 8 V 8 8
V 8 3 8 L 6 9 P
9 8 t? 8 k 8 3 L
3 k
8 6
L P 8
V 8 9
e 6 3
8 L
8 t? ,e
8 L 9
V 3 6
8 6 8
L L
9 8 3
Z 6 8
3 P I
9 8 8
P L 3
8 8 9
8 L 6
VENDOR WORK ADS
Available for light work, cleaning, and
shopping. Assignments will get done!
Contact Essie at 503-901-9594
Jon Cornelison is available for
murals, custom work, tattoo design,
acrylic painting and sculpture.
scifiacidwarp@gmail.com
Don’t miss a single issue! Visit our website at
www.streetroots.org, friend us on Facebook or
follow us on Twitter to get regular updates.