Street Roots • June 30-July 6, 2017
Poetry
Page 12
Wake Up From Ignorant Indolence, Portland
by Melissa Coffman
hear
Portland, are you still asleep?
You must be
that is why
our brothers and sisters
can’t open any doors
you’ve locked them out
deserves experiencing homelessness
in our city
so wake up
dig deep
deeper
their stories
and help them
pull the needle out
while allaying
voices some hear
commanding they step
in front of the train
Portland, wake up you lazy prick
our people are despondent
in the streets
like a plague spreading
Portland, you have the influence
decree with action
all lives have value
basic human necessities
those who need more
than your coiffed
head can perceive
Portland, who is human?
If we are all worthy
why aren’t we all worthy?
countless come each day
from North, South, the East
watch them absorb reality
look at our people’s harsh panorama
needing more than just
a meal or shower
Have you looked
into eyes of another life
weeping and desperate
because there was
no easily evident
remedy to their
Portland, you callous wretch
council members and mayor
who hold the dough
to fuel a solution
live in an alternate existence
Portland, your alarm is buzzing
quietly shut your door
watch the sidewalk
a woman and her child are
curled up sleeping
blocking your fortifying gate
suffering
look out your windows
walk up and down west burnside street
baby steps for the ignorant indolent
and then expressed
what you can do for them
tell them you’ll fight for them
support them
give of yourself so that they
can start to see relief in their
wake up
our people are hungry
junk sick from needles
starved forsaken stomachs
there is no way around
you are awake now
to the plight of our people
they are lying on cardboard
in plain view of you
you cannot unsee this inhumanity
future?
Portland, where are you hiding, you coward?
This is our community
come have a genuine look
dig deep
deeper
open your damn eyes
do something
you inept bureaucracy
I do my part
because I am impelled to
not one more
man
woman
or child
you can
despite dismissive grey suits
reconstruct the people’s future
go fight the fight
you represent all people of
this broken overloaded system
benevolence propagates exponentially.
Melissa Coffman works in mental health crisis services as a peer support specialist.
How do you share health?
DOUGHNUT
At Health Share, we
believe good health is
more than what happens
inside your doctor’s office.
Good health starts in your
community and includes
staying active, eating
healthy food and getting
regular check-ups.
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Share your healthy habits
with family and friends. We
can all have better health
when we share it together.
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M EO H R
□
Which doughnut is named a fte r
Elvis Presley's entourage?
ASM M OI
Print answer here
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health
Better health
together.
www.heaUhshareoregon.org