Some things in life we find uncomfortable and try to push them away. A writer once said that poverty is natural and acts as a spur to do better. I can't get my head around that one, it ignores factors like bad life choices, failed nation economies, and adverse personal circumstances. Not That You'd Ever Ask reminds us of just how vulnerable our lives really are

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Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection~.Mother Teresa


Amen!!

Love Tinka

This just smacks you in the eye with flashbacks of did you stop? Did you see his eyes? Do you even remember? Awesome write!

I do come across so many of the ones Richard describes, who would do nothing except to help themselves to another fix...sleeping in doorways or on park benches. I've also worked in a community kitchen where I've see quite the opposite and could scarcely look away...families with no hope yet that of clinging together, professionals totally down on their luck so thankful for a bite to eat or a chance to accept free medical attention, displaced souls who have been given work and a place to live who hang on to a fragment of their pride...a mother shopping for back to school clothing for her child at a store where there is never a charge...people too proud to beg, but willing to accept the sincerity of a helping hand or a night's sleep out of the cold of winter. Same is the emerengy shelter for infants to teens where some don't even know there names and

love their parents even though the only form of love they know is from a beating or other abuse. Every time I leave there smiling, I barely make it to the car before I burst into tears.

A compelling write...

Taylor

I take Richard's point, but, for me, one of the most powerful Biblical parables is that of the Prodigal Son... or the Running Father, whichever way you look at it.... reckon that IS a picture of the wayward "righteous son" eating the swill of swine when he's lost the plot, actually! :)) Sadly, also, I have heard of many young people losing touch with their parents because of their hard-line lack of acceptance and forgiveness... which turfed them out on the streets anyways. I find this poem so moving I have almost to look at it out of the corner of my eye, finding it just toooooooooo uncomfortable... which proves your point, don't it? Acknowledgement and time is the fundament of making contact. I may give of my sandwich and loose change... but to ask their story... well, that's another matter, I'm ashamed to say. What's in a name, we say?? Everything - as you wonderfully draw attention to. My heart bleeds along with your beautiful pen, Anita. TY LOL K xx

ah, you address so eloquently one of the worst situations in this nation...just last week I was appalled to find out that some cities have built 'tent cities' in their middle to 'house' homeless verterans. In St. Louis, they were contemplating following the example.

As Mr. Ed says, it is a shame!

How many more strip malls do we need? That's a purpose for which they now use eminent domain...it's sickening...when apartments ought to be built for the homeless - all of them.

Thanks for an important message
Gina

homeless because of rejection

I think that's true for many of them - including many of our veterans in this country. And truly shame on us all.

POWERFUL! This piece summarizes so well the hypocrisy in today's society. People attend churches and all types of fundraisers to help third world countries, war torn countries, the vatican, the endangered species etc. but walk right by the man or women in their own home town instead of even saying hello to them and giving them some lose change. The theory that they are all alcoholics or drug addicts or just too lazy to work is a false one. I often wonder if it was our own children we saw there would be so eager to ignore them. thanks for offering such insight and sorry for rambling but after working with the poor and homeless I have a cause with this issue.

Fee

How very true that we tend to avoid those who need us most, often through fear though.

A compassionate view of a very complicated problem.

Most homeless, in my experiences, and also my wife's, are either drug addicts, drunks, or mentally unstable.

I am reminded, Anita, of a quote by, I believe Isaiah, in the Bible. "I was young, but now I am old, and I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread."

The worst ones are the young teenagers that are all on heroin and sell their only commodity (body) for another fix and junk food.

This moved me ...
Richard Lloyd Cederberg