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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2015)
Page 14 Poetry An open letter from the streets this Christmas y name is Wayne Stump, and I’ve been they say the same thing. There is Christmas homeless for a while. I’m sure you don’t music playing everywhere we go, and people remember me because you pretend you don’t carrying their shopping bags are laughing out see me when you walk by. There are some loud. We used to do the same thing, too, ya things I think you should know because you know. Before we were homeless, we were just believe there is no way you could ever end up like you. Let me guess - you have some like me, but the funny thing is I never thought terrific advice for me, and if I would have I would be homeless either. I’ve made a lot of done that in the first place, I would not be friends out here, and they talk about their life homeless now, right? before they were homeless, and you really do It’s OK, Mister. I understand you just don’t have a lot in common. I remember what it was like window know what to say to me, so go ahead and keep shopping and tapping my toes to the music walking with your family over there; most about Old Saint Nick and riding in a one-horse people act like I’m invisible anyway. I keep open sleigh. I see how excited your kids are thinking someday I’ll get used to it, but I know by all of the lights and piles of toys in every I am a descent human being, and we aren’t store; there is no way to keep them close by, supposed to feel like we don’t even exist. holding their little hands. Your family looks Somebody called me a bum this morning just like one of those Christmas cards people send because I told him Merry Christmas! I didn’t out to everybody. Take plenty of pictures with ask him for anything, and I was only being them because I can tell you when they are nice. He didn’t even want to know my name. gone, Christmas is very different Sometimes I catch myself staring at Gosh, how I miss those days! Maybe someday I’ll be able to have a normal someone across the way because they remind Christmas again. I would love to celebrate the me so much of how my life was not so long holidays like it used to be and just forget ago. Children can’t help but stare back at me about how my life is right now. Sometimes I the whole time they are walking by because just wish there was no such thing as they just can’t understand why I’m sitting Christmas, birthdays and special holidays here like this. I watched a mother lean down because when you’re homeless, it’s more like to her child with a pointing finger, and I could a fairy tale meant for other people. I would only imagine what she must have been saying: never let my family see me like this, and I When you grow up, you can be anything you can’t make myself call them because they act want - but don’t you even dare become so worried on the phone; homeless! Some of my friends out here are grandmas and grandpas and mothers and fathers, and - By Wayne Stump M Street Roots • Dec. 18-24, 2015 Set’s me Free Brent B. Lusted Well, now I am homeless and down dirt poor! But I’ve been worse off I’ve died once before!! For some damned reason, I was brought back to Life again and I think that God told me You need to do what I command! Oh, and it sets me free When I can help anyone who is in need. ; Thank you my Lord when you set me free ‘cause then I won’t be in pain - even when I bleed. I’m homeless, but I’m happier than most rich people will ever be! Because they are controlled By an Evil Thing that’s called money! And if all the super rich Ended up out here on the Street I’d do whatever I could for them I’d get them somethin’ to eat. Oh, and it sets me free When I can help anyone who is in need. Thank you my Lord when you set me free, ‘cause then I won’t be in pain - even when I bleed. Gifts, Photos with Santa, Phone Callsjnd Live Jazz! CareOregon* goMobile team Please Join Us for CHRISTMAS DINNER on CareOregon and our partners make Oregon Health Plan navigation easy! We offer help with: • Medicaid medical, dental and mental health appointments • Medicare eligibility for disabled and elderly adults Find us at these locations: Central Library, S W 10th Avenue Ave Holgate Library 7905 SE Holgate Dec 29...........5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan 8 ......£....2:30-4:30 p.m. City Team, 5 26 SE Grand Ave. Midland Library 805 SE 122nd Ave Jan 6 ....... ......4-6 p.m. Dec 30.......... 8-10 a.m. Jan 13............... 8-10 a.m. Portland Rescue Mission, 111 W Burnside Clackamas County Transition Center 1024 Main Street, Oregon City Dec 29«.... . 1 -3 p.m. Jan 12.....1 -3 p.m. Dec 3 1 ..........8-10 a.m.- Jan 7 .............8-10 a.m. Jan 14.......j.. 8-10 a.m. Union Gospel Mission, 3 NW Third Ave. Gresham Library, 385 NW Miller Ave Jan 7 ............... 1 -3 p.m. Dec 22.......... 1 -3 p.m. Dec 2 9 ...I l l T-3 p.m. Christmas Day Noon to 3:00pm P ortland A rt M useum 1 1 1 9 S W P a rk A v e n u e Presented By P O T T U C K in the PA R K Need a Ride? (503) 255-7611 To DONATE please visit www.potluckinthepark.org
