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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2018)
■ 1» Remembering those we have lost Dec., 21 is National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, marked across the country by people who have lost loved ones to homelessness. This year, Street Roots lost several of our vendors, many of them homeless, and all of them far too soon. We miss them all dearly. Across Multnomah County, 79 people died homeless, literally, on our streets In 2017. Many more have left us as a result of the long term trauma caused by living without a home for months, years and even decades. During recent sessions of our Street Roots’ Writer’s Circle, vendors paused to compile original work to reflect on the people they loved and lost. Here are their writings. Street Roots • D ec.21-27,2018 Street Poetry Page 10 Before Life Lost by Bronwyn “ Banshee” Carter by Scott Mattson Before me There were others time pain elements countless faces, worn leathered Before me names of those remembered some now forgotten loved ones left haunted “Could I have done more, tried harder?” Before me many feet took many steps over pavement miles concrete behemoths echoed stories of triumphs gained, struggles shared heads nodded in agreement Before me in the City of Roses the thorns laid down to slumber our numbers grew more, not less years passed and time it seems, ■ ...................... ■*— The year is 2018. That means I’ve seen street life for 34 years. Fve met too many people to count or name anymore. But, unfortunately, that means I’ve lost a lot of friends or acquaintances too. Looking back, there have been some really special people I’ve lost. When you don’t have a home to lock yourself away from life and people, you tend to spend more time with people and learn more “intimate” details about them, as well as them about you. Sometimes, the bond can even be stronger than the bond you have with your own family. Embrace everyone you meet. There is a reason for every interaction you have with them. Life is too short and you never know when someone may leave you. Make the most of everyone, cherish all memories you have, good or bad it is what your life is. That’s all you will have when they are gone. U n title d — __ by Daniel C ox Before me and after me There will always be others Genocide and tales form a conquered people. Silent hunger and suffering. A great and noble savage put to rest. With his ancestors his bones are Ceremonially put in a grave. To be remembered no more.
