SOMETIMES...WITHIN THE REALMS OF DESTITUTION, ONE FINDS A CLOSER WALK WITH GOD. AS THAT CLICHE' GOES, '...WHEN ONE HITS BOTTOM, THERE IS NO WHERE TO GO BUT UP...' I REMEMBER MYSELF BUT THEN ALSO...MY SON TOO...BEING HOMELESS. WE BOTH EXPERIENCED HARSHNESS, BUT ALSO THE BLESSINGS OF KINDNESS. HOWEVER, THROUGH THESE HARD TIMES, GOD FINDS A WAY TO DIRECT US ON THE PATH THAT HE WANTS US TO GO. THOSE PATHS ARE NOT IDEAL IN OUR WAY OF THINKING...BUT ONCE THE LIGHT OF GOD SHINES IN OUR HEARTS....ONE CAN APPRECIATE THE SCRIPTURE; '...IT WAS GOOD FOR ME THAT I HAD BE AFFLICTED...'. I WAS LISTENING TO TD JAKES(THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, 'CRUSHING') THE OTHER DAY AND HE, IN REFERENCE TO THE AFOREMENTION SCRIPTURE, SAID, '...DON'T TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT, JUST SURVIVE IT...', AMEN. THANKS FOR SHARING, JOHN. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Your poem gives off good vibes for being a responsible citizen and taking care of those who, for whatever reason, are down and out.

To be contrary, many of those on the street have mental illnesses that need to be treated if they are to ever rejoin society. Many, if given an opportunity to leave the street, will refuse.

And there have been cases, although rare, of people begging every day in places where there are tourists or high traffic, of people making a good income by begging every day instead of going to work on a job or business.

Ron

“An emptiness in search of a presence.” That is profound, John. What a tender topic about which to write of the lostness and despair. There is a heap of empathy most people have for those who hold the signs, and a mighty lack in society’s ability to handle this tragedy. Your saddest line here in my ears an deyes is “Awaken not knowing where to turn,” — you have a velvet-hearted way with words. Carry the flame. ~~ djl

Nothing more can said, yet many of us can't refrain from reminding those that might not be in touch. Apt writing for this weekend coming up where we celebrate much of what the man in your pic may not agree with.