Street roots., January 04, 2013, Page 6, Image 6

Street roots
6
Jan. 4, 2013
Haiku 6/26/12
By David Mair
wisps from my coffee
float up my nose as flare gun
in the midnight sun
Carousel
By Dennis Kennith Rollins
Just like the merry-go-round,
So does the carousel.
A magnificent twine of beautiful color,
Its design is beauty, exquisite in texture.
For it is a race in time,
For there is more than ten seats aboard.
This journey in time, countless.
Bring a snack and enjoy
the right time of your life.
Finding solid ground a fte r the big move
When I dare to be
powerful, to use my
strength in the
service of my vision,
BY ERIN FENNER
C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R
hris Kunzler, 33, and Mirna Abraham,
43, met each other at Sisters of the
Road when both were new to
Portland. Chris had just moved down from
said. “My financial situation is hard for me.
Alaska and Mirna had recently escaped an
Because I don’t have income. I don’t have a
abusive relationship. Mirna didn’t know
house. I need to pay my phone bill, my gas,
anything about the city and her English was
my insurance.”
still not perfect. While she was successful in
Chris likes to help his community - likes
Mexico, looking for work and adapting to
to reach out.
Portland on her own was not easy.
“I like activism, I do a lot of
“When I come here, I come blind,” Mirna
volunteering,” Chris said.
said.
Chris pointed Mirna toward Street Roots
“My first present to Mirna was a map,”
which helped both of them get on their feet.
Chris said.
Now she makes enough to pay some of her
Chris offered help. Their first
bills and they both have time to look for
conversation was about food because she
work and other resources. And Mirna said it
had gone four days without eating. But,
also gives her a sense of dignity.
quickly they became friends and began
“I moved here because Portland is a
talking about shared political beliefs and
metropolitan city and many galleries,
cultural interests. Chris had worked in
culture, people are friendly and there’s lots
politics and Mirna had a master’s degree in
of activism,” Mirna said.
political science. And, they were both in
Chris came down to Portland looking for
similar situations - looking for work.
work. He likes the people and the city - but
“I put all my hope in Portland. The big
he didn’t have a job before he came down
city. But it is hard. Everything (is) in my car
and (I’m) looking for a job every day,” Mirna here or a place to stay.
C
th e n it becom es less
and less im p o rta n t
w h e th e r I am afraid.
Answers to puzzles on page 15
M tO F & B
Chris and Mirna
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
“I haven’t slept inside for a while; since I
came down from Alaska,” Chris said, “No I
did. I slept in a hostel for two nights. It was
like 20 bucks a night, but I did that for my
birthday.”
Chris says he doesn’t mind sleeping
outside, but logistically it’s a challenge.
While going to job interviews he has to find
a place to keep all of his belongings. And
the cold doesn’t bother him as much as the
moisture. He never had frostbite even while
living in Alaska, but now he has frostbite on
his feet.
Despite the challenges, both of them love
living in the city. They check out local art
and music.
“Any cultural events that are free; we go,”
Mirna said.
Mirna said she was frustrated with her
situation - that she’s so educated but it
means very little without a license in the
U.S.
“It’s part of life: fluid,” Mirna said.
“Everything is inside me; fluid.”
Now Mirna is in the process of getting
housing and Chris has a job.
om e
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eat fre s h
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Available for light work, cleaning, and
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Contact Essie at 503-901-9594
Jon Cornelison is available for
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EA SY & FU N
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