This is about Geraldine a homeless woman I met who gave me insight into my own frailties. She takes up a huge part of my heart although she is gone now.
This is Geraldine's story. Please read it through.
Thank you!
Susan
copyright 2006
I saw her for the first time down by the Visitor Center
She made a bed of cardboard to make it through the winter ...
She sat and rocked away her days and sipped a cup of brew
She never begged or spoke a word...she was someone's sister too
Or mother...was she a mother? Where had her children gone?
Why was she here, this poor cold soul...who didn't have a home?
Had they forgotten this dear sad woman or thought she in a ward...
Of mental patient madness or social castes gone hard?
She wore just about everything that she could put upon
This sad frail figure of a woman...nothing much but bones
Her eyes were sunken with lines of age but there I saw a smile
I reached out to help her up...the stench right then was vile
When a warm whisper asked of me", Have you change to spare?'
"If you have the right kind of heart show me that you care".
I stooped just then to hold her hand and asked her where she'd been
When in a tiny voice she said, " Hi, I'm Geraldine".
"My birthday is tomorrow...will you come and sit with me?"
"I'll do much more, my friend," I said."We'll have a grand party".
"What would you like if you could have anything you'd wish?"
"I'd like to visit heaven...I am so day-um tired of all of this".
I took her in to clean her up, her skin was full of sores
She felt just like an angel when her words bit to the core
"Mame", she said,"Our nation failed to honor their on kin"...
We folks can't make it anymore on what we get from them"...
They only care for votes that count...we have no more to give'.
They want to secure themselves but care not how we live".
Just then she choked and spit up blood and I began to cry...
We drove on to a hospital and then we were denied
"This here ain't no free clinic, take her on out of here"
Try the one just south of town they'll take her kind in there"...
I cringed to think this state of mine had failed to do their best
When Geraldine and this here woman put them to a test...
"Did you know her son was mayor once...of the town just down the way"
That she once gave dinners for the poor on Thanksgiving Day?"
Where's your heart and is your Mom well feed and safe at home?"
And your sweet sisters, are they clothed and kids...all fed and groomed?"
The doctor came and wheeled my friend and put her in a bed.
He turned and kissed her boney hands...my heart then filled with dread .
He didn't speak for then his eyes told me what I had feared
This here frail lady of the street had spent her better years
Caring for the others who didn't have a chance
When fate turned upon her then without a second glance
She lost her home and all her pets, her kids? Adopted...gone
Gerladine was cast aside and then began to roam .
She slept where ever there was heat...a vent or canopy
Her health began to fail and her eyes forgot to see
She made it through the night til morn and when I came around
The staff had brought her birthday cake and a cotton lacey gown
She didn't make it that next day but heaven has a way
Of making angels out of soot and graces...come what may .
They buried Gerry in her gown, lain in a paupers grave
We say this land is freedom with a home for all her brave
Someone forgot to make the laws...these men, fathers...brothers
That in their haste they left her out and she is all their mothers.
I visit her on her birthday...in this land of the free
I still regret the laws that shun and yes...it bothers me
I am shivering, this, god, Susan, thank you... for telling me about this and, well, for the piece and for your amazing heart and for Geraldine, god, she, yes...an Angel, as you were to/for her...not to mention us!
with whom you share...this is one Important piece, also...oh god, how many like this sweet, sweet woman out there and all you say so true...
god bless you, susan, this one I must keep and oh, again, again...
Bless You for this!
michele
((((you!)))
and oh, a smile at the Heavens to her, to Geraldine, your special angel!
"We say this land is freedom with a home for all her brave
Someone forgot to make the laws...these men, fathers...brothers
That in their haste they left her out and she is all their mothers.
I visit her on her birthday...in this land of the free
I still regret the laws that shun and yes...it bothers me."
I cannot add any words that will be more meaningful. You have said it way better than I ever could. Love and peace to you,
This poem is an accusation against society that bares our flaws as a race: we do not care, regardless of the organizations that are being founded; they merely serve to take away some of our guilt so that we are not bothered by it too much. The Love and compassion from which we were created, is no longer part of us, all we care about is ourselves. We have become a separated, fragmented and lonely nation, close to darkness' ultimate intention with the human race. But general concensus, earthly courts or whatever will not judge how we lived our lives; celestial courts of higher planes will. Each and every one of us has to account for what (s)he did or did not to help others. I am happy to read you decided to listen to your heart and act accordingly. An act that is oddity among all sad trivia that has become painfully common. Respect,
I agree with Eileen below completely
St Vincent De Paul and other organisations have outreaches for people of the street, maybe she was unaware of all the help that is available these days, Susan
God Bless her soul ...
Peter
Oh Susan, this just brought tears to my eyes, it angers me so that we can do this to the elderly, to anyone, this great country so eager to help everyone else. we need to look in our own backyard, and in our hearts.
It's sad, but true. I have written in a sub-plot in my novel LORAINE LEATHERBOW: THE HOUSE OF SPLEEN, about a homeless woman who lives in the alley, her name is Alice. My character Loraine Leatherbow takes her in, let's her have a hot bath, gives her a hot plate of food and later on in the novel, a surprise comes from all of it The House of Angels! I very well understand Geraldine, she is my Alice, Susan. Thanks for caring.
Heartbreaking Susan! I have to wonder though if it isn't a case of not knowing they can get welfare. I spent two years as a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul. A store for the homeless where they got free clothing , showers and shaves etc. Many transients from riding the rail roads used it. But many homeless who came in and when they were questioned those who really wanted to get care we made appointments for with the welfare office and medical. Many don't want it they just want to be left alone. There isn't much you can do for them. But many don't know there is help available.I wish they would get the message out more. Excellent write Susan and God bless you for being a compassionate helper!
You have stated so well with this write the plight of the thousands of homeless seniors all over this world. I do a lot of work with a centre here in my home town and the sad truth is most seniors do not have enough to eat, some have to decide between a roof over their heads, food and or medications. It is all too sad but we can all make a difference...
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with whom you share...this is one Important piece, also...oh god, how many like this sweet, sweet woman out there and all you say so true...
god bless you, susan, this one I must keep and oh, again, again...
Bless You for this!
michele
((((you!)))
and oh, a smile at the Heavens to her, to Geraldine, your special angel!
Ron
Thanks for sharing!!
Love Tinka
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( >tears <
Someone forgot to make the laws...these men, fathers...brothers
That in their haste they left her out and she is all their mothers.
I visit her on her birthday...in this land of the free
I still regret the laws that shun and yes...it bothers me."
I cannot add any words that will be more meaningful. You have said it way better than I ever could. Love and peace to you,
Regis
RAge
St Vincent De Paul and other organisations have outreaches for people of the street, maybe she was unaware of all the help that is available these days, Susan
God Bless her soul ...
Peter
Reindeer
A compassionate rememberance, very well penned. Too much of this going on, there are many Geraldines out there.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Sage
Love,
Eileen
Felix