~
Absorbing the Ink~
Under
the Ink… Newsprint Lives
For
some of us, the news becomes a way of life… not so much for
the
news and stories held within its pages, but rather a blanket wrapped
around
us, and as padding laid over the hard ground, as we try to stave
off
the chilly night air that descends like a waterfall for those of us
facing
life
on the streets-- living, breathing and feeling
every
nuance of Mother Nature.
Absorbing
the news, in the deepest sense. Substituting the warmth produced
by
trees in place of the human connections were so readily deprived of.
And
in the process, learning more about the world around us, as well as
around
the world. Reading the news that covers our lives, while it darkens
our
skin and the sheets provide cover from the elements...
until
it gets really wet and the papers stick to us and then disintegrates
all
over us, drying to you like it had been adhered with by glue.
Sometimes
hiding things wrapped in newspaper as to give the
impression
we carry nothing of value, or allow for a brief time
to
store something where no one will think twice about it.
People
see trash everywhere, most don't bother to clear it up,
but
pass the buck to others... having someone else clean their messes.
And
for those of us on the streets sometimes rely on this as a means
to
keeps things safe from being taken or thrown away.
People
are often amazed that we are well versed in many topics and
enjoy
the stimulation that communication brings… welcoming the
chance
to connect with someone, however briefly that may be.
More
often than not, we are regarded through the lens of
indifference,
hate and ugliness from all directions. So much so,
that
this is what overshadows love….
You
feel as though huge parts inside you begin to
corrode
and disintegrate from the harsh words and
remarks
so cruelly tossed our way…
Cardboard
Lives….
You'll
find us everywhere, but we seem to become invisible to others
unless
it is just to direct their brutality to... under bridges, on park
benches,
in doorways... trying to just be without being.
Our
belongings, our very existence.... seen as nothing more than debris
that
needs to be cleared away. People believing that we could not possibly
have
anything that means something, nothing with heart value... after all,
your life is disposable, so nothing you carry with you should have
any meaning, perhaps this is why we are stripped of the very
threads holding our lives together, as they try to destroy those
very threads of our lives. It means nothing to them to
your life is disposable, so nothing you carry with you should have
any meaning, perhaps this is why we are stripped of the very
threads holding our lives together, as they try to destroy those
very threads of our lives. It means nothing to them to
strip
us so bare of the barest essentials.... it only matters
if you have that luxurious roof over your head.
if you have that luxurious roof over your head.
Finding
shelter, food, restroom facilities, clothing.. the barest, most basic
essentials
a person needs becomes an ever-increasing challenge to
find (and use) when you are forced out on the streets. Breathing,
warm water, hot
fresh meals are things most of us take for granted,
until those very
things are taken from you and then they become
out of reach, but
deeply sought after, luxuries. Your existence
dismissed as you find
your presence
is no longer accepted,
much less welcome in society, readily cast to the
wayside while
people have been scripted, either consciously or
unconsciously,
to
go out of their way to make our lives an ever-greater hell.
Relying
on Mother Nature for the basic necessities of life...
turning
to her beautiful creatures for love, comfort and the warmth to
soothe
and heal your heart, body, mind, and soul....Finding Nature at once
both
accepting
and rejecting, sometimes stripping your soul completely bare,
other
times embracing you and lifting you higher than you thought possible.
The
songs of Her Chorus... filling your heart, the beauty, the calm and
peace
that
surrounds you and fills your senses that the crisp air of the
mornings bring,
the
colors exploding all around you.... Letting Her become fully absorbed
in
your bones and reaching the deepest levels of your soul.
Watching
and learning from the Masters in Nature on how to survive,
opening your
heart more, your senses come alive at Nature's touch.
By
Renee Bowen
Homeless
since Sept. 1, 2000
©
2011
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