Only the Chosen Ones Have Eyes That Really See and Ears that Hear

"Ode to Mitch Snyder"

by Judy Joy Jones



Its alright baby Mama has you now
cuddled close to her breast
where you can finally finally rest

Hadnt a moment's peace on earth
did ya hon
Oh Mitch Snyder
chosen driven haunted one

You shed your blood so others could live
taking in by the thousands
to your shelters' warm arms
the poor unwanted neglected on earth
they flocked to your door
knowin a night's peace
could be had
with no questions asked

In the coldest darkest nights
thru blizzards rain sleet and snow
as we slept warmly in our
secure little beds
with dollar signs dancin thru
our empty little heads
you darlin were collectin the
remains of the no names
at the city morgue's door
and holdin em tight to your breast

For you were the orphans'
god on earth Mitch
the daddy mother brother all in one
for the millions without anyone

On this earth you walked
alone and abused
but your mission my friend
bears fruit

The homeless of this land have
one less tear
one more meal
and a night's freedom
from the violent who
eat the weak on the streets

Unconditional love you gave
24 hours a day
you took in what society throws away
the strays

yea child you walked in dem shoes
of prisoner tramp and thief
so you knew didn't ya hon
how it felt
on dem cold filthy concrete streets

Humbled yourself before mankind
and now your chosen soul child
has gone home to god for its final rest

Oh yeah sweetie pie
your time for wailing done done
and for the price you paid Mitch Snyder
the whole world's gonna honor and
pay homage to you thru eternity

Dont need to shed your tears
no more child
it's time for the trumpets
and peace bells to ring out your
name to everyone on earth and
all the saints gather round
and place upon your precious head
the crown of the brave valiant
and those that persevered

In thy hands feet and brow
the stigmata do i see there
we we crucified thee mitch
with ignorance pride and
tightly closed eyes

And in your side with
your own hand
you placed the final wound
cause child you had given
all you came to earth to give
and winged your way back home
to god as angels do
as soon as their chosen works are thru

a saints halo shall grace thee
of this i am certain

And now mr.snyder
may i this unknown poet
wash your holy feet
with my teardrops
dotted here and there
and dry them with my hair

You Died for Love Mitch Snyder
and I, We Love You

c jj 2021

******************************


"Ode to Mitch Snyder" is in my book "The Bones of the Homeless", and in my first spoken word CD "Ode to Janis Joplin".

I interviewed Mitch Snyder six months before he died while writing for a newspaper when I was on The Great Peace March For Nucleur Disarmanent.

Thousands of people sleep in Mitch Snyders shelter nightly and a street was named after him in Washington D.C.
Mitch founded The Creative Community for Non-Violence.

Actor Martin Sheen & Cicely Tyson starred in a film about Mitch Snydee called;
"Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samaritan:_The_Mitch_Snyder_Story

I am forever grateful that Mitch Snyder gave his life for the poorest of the poor...His name shall be honored forever more — Judy Joy Jones
    The Coronado Journal Article About Judy Joy Jones