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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,
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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.