The Contributor (https://thecontributor.org/category/vendor-writing/)
With all the wintery weather it is no surprise that I haven’t been on my corner at all since it began. I DO miss seeing my customers, but fortunately, I’ve ran into a few of them in other places.
First, create a shelter that has a domed roof away from prying eyes.
Thought no one wanted to be my friend.In fact, the only sign of kindness toward mewas the people who supported our charity.Yes, even the bus drivers became enemiesas they witnessed me load the bus carryinghuge bags of clothing as full of heavy blankets.They also assumed that I did not hold any fearand they rushed me to pay.Screams and cries of strangers filled the airas all I could do was slay the insults in spirit.Up the street was a Publix.I did purchase a $2 lottery ticket,which had all ten numbers except one,the number 8.You should have seen the look upon my face.I was a homeless person and helpless as somemay say and in need of housing,yet I was only one number away from $300,000.
The relationship between the unhoused here in Nashville and the general public has had it’s ups and downs over the years. The perception of the homeless was, to a great extent limited to being referred to as, “bums,” “tramps,” “winos” and “no goods.” Generations before they were, “hobos,” “transients” and “drifters.”
In my experience before the days of The Contributor, much of the only contact the public had with the unhoused was on street corners where “Will Work For Food” signs were displayed or the panhandler or the alcoholic drinking in public. Much of this public perception has changed to a great degree with the advent of The Contributor here in Nashville. I can remember the time when a car would pull up beside someone who was holding a cardboard sign and you could immediately hear the sound of car door locks being engaged and see windows being rolled up. This trend, I’m happy too say, has reversed itself to a great degree and we the vendors of The Contributor have made this change possible.
Have you ever showed up to your campsite and realized you forgot the cooler? The guilt of buying plastic and foam coolers can spoil all the fun. Well, here’s a really easy fix. Go to the back of any convenience store and grab a cardboard box or three. Get two that nest inside each other loosely.
So afraid of Tomorrow, will you still be there?
In the raindrops, I feel your sorrow …
And I’ll be there
My Utopian society would include suitable housing for everyone designed specifically to fit the needs of its inhabitants
Not long after I arrived at my spot, John appeared out of the blue, as he has done SO many times before.
“When I was a young man in prison here we had cows and chickens and gardens. We could work in these places. Produced all our own food. Milk, eggs, butter, meat, vegetables, fruits.