EARLY BIRD

Folder: 
THE DRUNKENING

 

We have a newspaper 

One Step Away

for the homeless people 

to sell and make a few bucks 

here in Philly.

 

I usually pick up a copy

on my way into work.

My regular salesman works

outside 30th Street Station

almost every morning.

 

It comes out monthly

but I usually pick up 

3 or 4 copies each month.

I leave them on my desk

and I replace it

every time a co-worker takes it.

 

It’s for a good cause,

I tell myself,

so I can feel real proud.

 

But on the first 

of this month,

I got off the train

and found my salesman

to purchase the brand new edition.

 

I was informed that

the new edition

wouldn’t be out until 10:00am.

 

They always say

the early bird gets the worm

but apparently

that doesn’t apply to newspapers.

 

 

 

Author's Notes/Comments: 

One Step Away is a newspaper in Philly to promote awareness for homelessness.  I buy 3 or 4 copies of the monthly edition and get a few of my co-workers to hopefully learn about the problem and possible solutions.  The salesman Brian is also a poet and publishes in the newspaper.  I'm trying to get him to come out to some readings in the near future.

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Morningglory's picture

Thank you for your support.

Much of my time over the last five years has been spent amongst the homeless... as well as home free. Personally, I chose that journey for a while. Mostly as an expiriment. Putting my faith in the universe (or God) to provide. It was an amazing journey. A whole lot learned. Especially how difficult it is to be homeless with a vehicle as shelter. Most places have laws against living in your vehicle on the west coast. The powers that be don't like it. It's illegal! In some places, for instance, If you get 5 tickets for "habitating" your vehicle, they will impound your vehicle. Then a person is forced outside onto the street. Where it is also not legal to sleep. Pretty uncompassionate out there. People are not kind. However, amongst the homeless and home free, I have learned there is community. People take care of each other. Sometimes it seems more than those who have homes and jobs and stuff. 

 

Personally, I think tiny homes would be a great option to start solving the issues. But even that is something governments are trying not to allow. 

 

Anyway, thanks for keeping your own mind open and willing to learn. 


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georgeschaefer's picture

I'm still working on getting

I'm still working on getting Brian to come out to some poetry readings.  I also hope the people that pick up the paper will read it and learn from it.  Thank you for sharing your experience with me.  It makes me think this whole poetry thing might be worthwhile afterall.

Morningglory's picture

Poet... I read all of your work when I see it.

I know a few homeless poets that I met on the streets during my travels. They still have facebook. I follow their work. One of them recently had a poem picked up by the New Yorker or New York Times, I can't recall which. He does really good work. 


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