Dysfunctional Families

A poem by Patty

(...when does it stop?)
(...how can the chain be broken?)
(...will I recognize "normal"?)

Generations of guilt;
Generation of pain;
We're promised sunshine...
We feel the rain
We shiver and shake
Now we're late,
With reprimand
They bind our hand;
Now... they cannot wait
Because of you...
The deal fell through
Too late to shine my shoes!
You know the rules...
Begone!... get off!
My ship of fools!
                        -PAST

John Doe

A poem by Patty, a grandmother who lives in her car with her four cats, a member of Anawim.

Winter is chilling to the bone
to those who live without a home
they travel here they travel there
they pass us by but do we care?
For proud is the man who has nothing left
'cause he sees his misfortune as just another test.

But the chilling cold shivers the spine
so he gathers his warmth from a bottle of wine
Just a drunken bum out on the road
Early in years his face looks old
with only a dollar to his name.
Just a drunken bum- should he be shamed?
What can one buy when the price is high?
Will anyone see him if he should cry?
Tonight the Rain dampens his head
As rumor disclosed another friend dead.
Beaten by those who are never without
"Only a bum" did they shout

As angels of mercy reach down for his soul
He sees himself a man who once had a goal
The pain removed at last he's free
he smiles down upon you and me
forgiving strangers who continue their wrong
at last he is home where he always belonged
huddled in darkness with his bottle of wine
he remembers a man he knew for a time
a man such as he put to the test
sipping slowly he awaits eternal rest
to come each and every night

Just a drunkem bum we see in the dawn's early light
Just a drunken bum begging for more
"Get away you-- stay away from my door--"

No Shelter

A poem written in response to the suffering of the homeless in Gresham. Written by someone in the broader Anawim community.

‎"No Shelter" Leanne Tipton

Its been freezing outside for two days now,
The wind is screaming with all of its might.
The cold seeps through the cracks as I lie in my room.
I've not slept one hour tonight.

I toss, I turn, my thoughts filled with you.
You have no shelter, no heat, no pillow, no bed.
I pray, I worry, I get up, pace the floor.
But I can't get you out of my head.

There are so many people praying for you,
that justice and fairness will win.
To turn ones back on the poor and the outcast
Is truly one of the worst of the sins.

I cannot imagine being outside in this,
Its so cold right here in my home.
Though you're there and I'm here
Please try to remember,
You never are truly alone.

I pray through my tears I will see you again.
I pray for your safety while we are apart.
I pray for your health, but most of all
I pray for protection from cold weather and cold hearts.