Voices Together

I Believe

2007-09-10T01:12:00.000-04:00

I believe that against all odds
the fighter, the survivor overcomes
and you will make it.

I believe that the goodness in you
is greater than any bad choice
you have made in your life.

I believe in your ability to love deeply
in spite of the mistreatment and abuse
you’ve encountered.

I believe that chances go round
and that everyone gets a turn
for a blessing, a home, another chance.

I believe that the warmth of your spirit
and the strength of your soul
sustain you.

When the winds of life
bring tears to your eyes—
yet you continue on to another day.

I believe that we all are a paycheck,
a Katrina, a match, or one bad decision
away from homelessness.

I believe that while you
sleep in the streets,in the shelter,
on that friend’s sofa,
angels surround you, touching you
and rubbing your cheek.

I believe that even if you don’t believe,
I can believe until you can believe
for yourself.

I believe that we are all connected—
we are all a piece of each other.

T.W. 9/7/07

Don't Give Up

2007-08-13T15:39:00.000-04:00

The air is brisk
The sun is shining
So there is no need for whining.
For it is in His plan
That we withstand
All the obstacles in our way
Just to get through the day.
He never gives us more than we can take
And He doesn’t want us to fake
So remain true
To me and you.
He shall see us all through
Whatever challenges we may hit.
Doesn’t mean a thing—
For it’s the mere experiences
That we face in our lives
That makes us grow
Strong or meek
Smart or weak.
It doesn’t matter
He basically says,
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
And I know to grasp that it is rough
And to live in this world can be tough,
But most of all don’t give up
And remain forever true to yourself
And you’ll make it!

L.E.
1/22/06

Overflow

2007-08-12T15:52:00.002-04:00

Today is a day I feel

like I am in overflow—

too hot, I’ve done a lot

I have been constantly on the go

and my brain feels like

it is on overflow.

I guess it is time to

get rid of some stuff.

I need to relax and realize

I have done enough

I can take a breath and

look forward to some good stuff:

A place to live—

enjoy the rest of the summer

with friends

and finally settle down

to my new life.

F.N.

6/26/07

Homecoming Queen

2007-08-12T15:52:00.001-04:00

Yes I am

I’m still me

This is home

where I can be

more comfortably

and happily

me.

M.F.T.

6/17/07

It's For Me

2007-08-12T15:50:00.000-04:00

I have given you all my time

I have given you all my love

I have given you all my space

Now I’m saying, it’s my time

To do me!

So please, be happy for me!

Don’t crowd me;

Let me breath!

Please—For the sake of me.

B.J.

6/26/07

Ladders

2007-08-12T15:47:00.000-04:00

A ladder I really a bridge

to be climbed

going up

instead of across

but still

connecting two

opposite points

and giving access to both

So you

can

get there from here

Because a ladder is really

a down-to-up bridge.

M.F.T.

6/5/07

Bluescape

2007-06-04T11:47:00.000-04:00

Darkness at midnight
Becoming
A clear bright cloud-free sky
Indigo to azure
On the spectrum of today.

M.F.T. 5/29/07

How Did This Happen?

2007-05-26T00:11:00.002-04:00

I began with family—
Strength with weakness,
More weakness than ever.
Bonding—there wasn’t any.
So all it left for a person to do was
Venture out on her own.

You know, everyone in my family
Didn’t get the abuse that I got.
It’s like the Cinderella story.
And still, it’s the thing
That made me stronger.

Family will never change;
They will always judge.
So I’m all alone
And don’t deal with family.

When I start talking with them,
They upset me.
So I don’t keep in touch.
So long as I’m alone,
I can try to keep things
In the right perspective.

V.S. 5/22/07

Ides of May

2007-05-18T11:41:00.000-04:00

Zig-zag on my wrist
Testimony to underachievement
To lost aspirations
And ensuing despair.

Not a trophy of battle
Simply
A wound of the war.

M.F.T. 5/15/07

Joint Ventures

2007-05-18T11:34:00.000-04:00

What I want my words to do to you
Is what your words do to me
Stop me cold
Move me
Make me listen
Make me think
Make me speak
And make me write rivers
To flow back to you.

M.F.T. 5/8/07

Dumbstruck

2007-04-20T17:09:00.001-04:00

Too many words
in too many directions
in too many spaces
at too many times
to shape a single simple song
to sing.

M.F.T. 4/17/07

Delaying Metamorphosis

2007-04-20T17:07:00.000-04:00

Wrapped in cocoon of
Spider silk
fragile in its strength
spun of lace and
warm glistening dewdrops
like a natural gentle armor
against the hard, sharp
pointy things
outside.

M.F.T. 04/17/07

The Invisible Shield

2007-04-20T17:03:00.000-04:00

Surrounding me
You can’t see—
Protecting me
Shielding
Yielding me
To Its force.

Others deny your
Power
But people of the
Spirit
Believe in the spirit

Every time I feel the
Spirit...
Spirit leading—urging
Discerning—
The things that the
Eye can’t see.

T.W. 4/17/07

I Deserve

2007-04-20T16:59:00.000-04:00

I deserve a Life
That is filled with Love,
Happiness, joy and Freedom,
And one that is prosperous.

I deserve a Life
That has people in it
Who will love me for my gifts and talents
That God has blessed me with.

I deserve a Life
That allows me
To think, believe, and live
As I choose.

I deserve Respect
From all people,
Along with courtesy,
And peace of mind.

B.J.4/10/07

Here I Sit

2007-04-20T16:54:00.000-04:00

Here I sit;
It’s been a while,
But I feel at home
Like a small child.

Loving eyes
And a real embrace
Are worth more than money
With a dead President’s face.

Thank God
For showing me the way—
Without these nameless friends, I don’t know
If my heart could survive another day.

No longer do I feel
Against the wall.
I don’t need to answer
Any exploiting calls.

I jumped off a cliff
And had a long fall,
But I landed on my feet.
The time has come to stand tall.

Living and breathing
Once again.
I’d rather help the world
Than live in mortal sin.

So I pen my thoughts
In ribble and rhyme—
I’m happy I quit drugs—
Now I have the time.

Time to be free,
Time to be me—
The me that I’m not ashamed
For the world to see.

S.K. 2/27/07

Asthma Redux

2007-04-20T16:36:00.000-04:00

Taking a deep breath
feels
best when done
in a warm safe space.

M.F.T., 2/27/07

My Snak

2007-03-12T19:44:00.000-04:00

A round dimpled object.
There are tiny needle point inverted wounds,
Waxed and shiny.
You could squeeze it
Without releasing its juice or pulp.

The color appears bright—
Instant like a sunrise—a shade of warmth,
Daybreak. Morning. Ripe.
Like bruised dawn.

The first piece tastes like
A burst of yellow,
Like noon breaking through branches.
Little tiny sour balls,
Tincture drops of Mother Earth’s candy.

Peeled open, it smells like
Sugar stains on children’s faces.
Sort of like spilled juice
On a wooden table

A.V.L

New Roommate

2007-03-12T19:17:00.001-04:00

She came in on a storm of chaos
With low moaning winds
And churning sea waves
Intermittently building to a flashpoint;
Then ebbing to a brief calm,
For just a little while,
Before the storm began again.

M.F.T. 2/20/07

Lifehike

2007-03-12T19:17:00.000-04:00

Where I’ve been is not here—
Nowhere near.
But many other cities and suburbs
And situations
And circumstances—
All way stations
On the road to getting here,
On the road to where I’m going to go.

M.F.T. 2/20/07

Survivor

2007-03-12T19:16:00.000-04:00

Outside the door
Meeting fear around the corner
Down the block
And finding it growing a little
Smaller,
Finally met

M.F.T. 1/23/07

Real Love

2007-03-12T19:15:00.001-04:00

Real love is something
You feel deep down
In your soul.

Real love is something
We all long for
And never can get enough of.

It’s like how you feel
When you eat a Hershey’s candy bar—
Umm, it’s soo good!

Real love is seeing
The good in someone,
Instead of the bad.

Real love is the sun
On your face
On a warm day.

Real love is sacrificing
Something of yourself
To make someone else happy.

Real love is what God gives us
Every day,
No matter what.

Real love—Have you got it?
Well, if not, don’t worry.
You’ll get it.
Or someone will give it to you!

B.J. 1/23/07

Survival

2007-03-12T19:15:00.000-04:00

Survival…surviving…surrender
Mean an everyday living to me.
My survival is
Not to surrender.
That is what I know as surviving.

J.G. 1/23/07

Strange Weather

2007-03-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

The sky is so cloudy;
The houses look so bleak.
Everyone is rushing to get to warm shelter.

This woman I see loses her scarf
As she holds on tight
To the only things she owns
In her carriage.

I don’t feel alone;
I feel alive all of a sudden.
I jump and leap to get something
That means so much
To help her sleep,
Or help her keep warm.

Maybe she found it in a barrel;
Maybe it was her husband’s.
Lost.
But all I know is that I chased it
And brought it back to her.

And all of a sudden,
When we looked at each other,
We weren’t cold anymore.

J.G. 1/9/07

Strange Weather

2007-03-12T19:13:00.001-04:00

Seventy degrees outside — lovely;
Not hot enough to sweat,
Not cool enough for a coat—lovely.

Crisp air infiltrates my lungs
As I pedal my bike
With Stormy in tow—
Comfortable in her carrier.

We ride along the river;
We toss rocks in the water.
We pedal on
Noticing a gaggle of geese
On the river setting—lovely.

We ride onward
Toward the playground.

The bike path is full;
Skaters, walkers, riders, runners,
Babies in carriages,
Families, lovers and friends—
Children running like any other day—lovely.

Except this is January ’07
In the Northeast—Boston;
Global warming—
Or just strange weather…

T.W. 1/9/07

Alone

2007-03-12T19:13:00.000-04:00

Today I found myself alone,
By myself and on my own.
I’ve never been here before,
No one to love or hold anymore.

What is it exactly that I should do?
I really don’t know, so I’m asking you.
In my mind I have a lot of plans;
None will get done if I don’t take a stand.

How hard could it be just to love me?
I really don’t know, but in time I’ll see.

Y.P.
10/24/06

When You Slip

2007-03-12T19:12:00.000-04:00

I am homeless and everyday I experience someone around me
Using drugs and crack
I hear the arguments and it all sounds pretty wack
A voice in anger fueled by crack
Always up always on
Disturbing myself and others who see what is going wrong
Addiction comes to visit every day
Addicts use and abuse themselves and us in simple ways
This is not just your air space it is also mine
I do not want to be forgiving or even kind
When you light up and suck in to breathe out
It makes me angry and I want to shout get the hell out!
Me and anyone next to you, without a doubt,
Gets a second hand breath of every inch the slow breath death you take
Second hand smoke is no joke
When you take a poke
Anyone gets a jolt
There is no more free air space
We all share the same tiny shelter space
I am not trying to make an addict’s mistake
Of purposefully lighting up, I do not want the first intake
The beginning of an addict’s journey
Me and others, who are clean and sober, know it is not funny
And not worth the loss of friends, family and money
So when you light up go outside where no one can see
So we also cannot smell
Your slow trip to hell
Spare us the disgust
Of smelling your second hand dust!

F.N.
10/16/06

Hurting On the Inside

2007-03-12T19:09:00.000-04:00

The pain inside my soul,
Is tearing me apart.
While the smile on my face,
Plays a different part.

I hide my feelings,
Deep down inside.
I can’t let no one see
The real me.

I’ve been around
And down many paths;
I stand on the ground,
But I can’t feel my feet.

Sometimes I feel numb
To everyone around me.
I’ve put up a wall
To hide my feelings.

J.H.
10/24/06

Friends Experiencing “Thin”

2006-09-27T15:20:00.000-04:00

We were too drunk to function
We held each other up and
Acted out a mirror reflection

We laughed about our bottomless stage
We chose to laugh instead of cry
It helped subside the rage

The five minutes on a bus stop bench
Helped us make it across the street
And then we ate lunch

Our last bottom day
We made it together
Holding each other up

We didn’t care who saw we were stuck
In a stupor that cements our past
Into a forever friendship to always last

My friend
You’ll always be there
Until my end.

F.E. 9/26/06

I Can’t Believe

2006-08-31T17:19:00.000-04:00

I can’t believe I was
Afraid of nothing.
I can’t believe I was
Intimidated by nobody.
I can’t believe she never
Told me anything.

I can’t believe how many years
It’s been since everything.
I can’t believe through
The years and tears
Without fears
She’s gone.
Can you believe it?
I still can’t.

J.G 5/30/06

When I Swim

2006-08-31T17:18:00.000-04:00

Doing strokes through
The crisp, clear blue water
Makes the water
Start to massage every inch of my body,
From fingertip to toe.
A relaxing intensity develops
And after a good swim,
A calm, endorphin rush
Puts my head in the clouds.
And when I take a nap,
It feels like I’m resting in heaven

J.V.
8/8/06

Nothing Can Get in My Way

2006-08-31T17:17:00.001-04:00

Nothing can get in my way.
Only I can get in my way.
Sometimes I feel like
There isn’t enough me
To deal with me.

I get lonely
And I call me
To tell me
I love me.

Shorty 7/18/06

Not Here

2006-08-31T17:17:00.000-04:00

At the beach
By the water
Seeking refuge
From the hot.

The sound of water
Lapping at the shore,
Melodic and relaxing sounds
Putting me and
Easing me
Into a meditative state.

Breathing deeply—
Inhale—hold
Exhale—slowly
Drifting—away
To my special place.

Away from distraction
Of the world.
Peace is upon me—
I am one with nature
One with the water

I’m floating but
Not swimming;
Alive—but not working.
I listen with my inner ear.

All is calm until
The noise
The traffic
The phone
The job
The kids
The bills
The problems
Frustrations
Procrastinations
Failures
The squawking
The questions
The pain
Bring me back
To reality
Until I go back to the beach again in my mind.

TW 6/20/06

I Recall

2006-08-31T17:16:00.001-04:00

I recall a time—
When TV was in black and white;
When colors weren’t as vivid, or as many;
When Ricky and Lucy slept in twin beds.

I remember a time—
When the world seemed new
And I was adventurous;
When people were love children.

I remember a time—
When government out of control
Was exposed.
Now corruption is covert.

I remember a time—
When everyone had
A home, an apartment, a kitchenette;
When politicians made promises
Of a chicken in every pot
And a car in every garage.

I remember a time-
When the American dream was
Definable, nameable

Now, Americans are homeless,
Sick, unemployed, in prison,
Oppressed, spied on.

I long for a time
Reminiscent of time long ago.

T.W. 7/18/06

I Recall a Time

2006-08-31T17:16:00.000-04:00

I recall a time when
I wasn’t in the situation I am now;
I was once gainfully employed
And with place of my own.
I’ve actually owned three homes.
Can’t believe I’m homeless—
What happened?!

C.B. 7/18/06

How Do You Think I Feel

2006-08-31T17:15:00.000-04:00

How do you think I feel
When you said
I can trust you,
But it wasn’t true.

How do you think I feel
When you said
I’ll never hurt you,
And you did.

How do you think I feel
When you said
I’ll help you,
And you didn’t.

How do you think I feel
When you said
You loved me,
And you don’t

Well, I’ll tell you.
This is how I feel;
All that shit
And you know what—

I don’t feel so good.
How do you think I feel?
The answer is—
I don’t.

Shorty 8/22/06

A Place

2006-08-31T17:13:00.000-04:00

Today I’d like to be in a place
Far away from the everyday
Stressful situations
That fill me full of doubt.
To a future I’m trying to get to.

But only by getting through
Til the unpleasant situations
Are finally solved,
Will I be in a place
Where I can find
My peace.

L.D. 4/11/06

In a Place Called New Zealand

2006-08-31T17:11:00.000-04:00

I’d like to be in the midst of
Towering trees and cliffs
With waterfalls that look so unreal
You feel like the place
You are is a dream
Or fantasy.

The aqua blue clear rushing
and gushing waters
Embraced by the lush green forest
That towers around you
With the flowers that add
A dash of excitement
In minimal places
That pop out of the surroundings
As bright as laser lights
In a laser show.

The water’s color seems to glow
Like florescent color
Under a black light.
And you only wish to immerse yourself
In such a fantasy world
That you learn to discover exists
In a place called New Zealand

J.V. 6/20/06

Shorty Still Cries

2005-12-15T16:16:00.000-05:00

Shorty still cries
day and night.
Shorty’s not happy
with her life.
She wants to do this,
She wanna do that,
She so kind she
ends up flat.
For love
give her love.
She only wants
and needs
love.
Shorty still sits
all alone.
She lives in a world
that’s not her own.
Love’s not harsh; love’s
Not bad, but what
she does for love is
SO SAD.
All the time getting
in things she can’t
get out!
Some things deep inside of her
eating up the PRIDE IN HER.
Maybe that’s why she smokes
so much crack.
She’s lost in thoughts of who to
be I wish to god that she
could see.
Give her love.

Voice

2005-12-15T16:15:00.000-05:00

To express feelings
to let people know
what you’re thinking
to share wisdom
and knowledge to
spread happiness
and thoughtfulness
information

Shorty

I am Homeless

2005-12-15T16:14:00.000-05:00

I am homeless, that is my appearance right now. Under this costume a lot of things are hidden inside of my heart and my mind. I am not really dangerous but I am not stupid. I really don’t like living like this but I have no choice in the matter. Because I have no control over society which has no current plans for me to succeed. I am a homeless person because I have experienced a word called disappointment. I wish I could erase over and over again. It’s a rocky road out there. It is not easy to succeed. Please understand that I will succeed soon.

C.R.

Your Own Star

2005-12-15T16:13:00.000-05:00

If you’re sorry or if you feel sad, just letting you know I’m the friend that you have. You don’t have to wish or cry or blame, you just need a hug and stop off lame. Cause no matter where or what or so far always remember you’re your own STAR!

Jean

Free Writing

2005-12-15T16:12:00.001-05:00

Why is it important to write? Why is it important for you to write to be heard?

Why is it important for your voice to be heard? Many times people don’t realize how important it is to communicate. Sometimes people go through experiences and others nave no solution to them.

C.R.

My Strangest Encounter

2005-12-15T16:12:00.000-05:00

One day taking the
bus – the MBTA
some lady asked
me if I was the
famous living vegetable
who came off the
respirator on the news.
Yet she said it with sugar on top.
I said no. Yet I wish
I said yes. I am
a celebrity…

J.V.

Attitudes

2005-12-15T16:11:00.000-05:00

You know we all have the blues which become an attitude, yet so whatever or whichever as long as we stay together and keep your attitude to yourself.

You know we all have the blues which becomes, too, an attitude. Yo so whatever as long as we stay together be forever and ever. Yet no human. Keep your attitude to yourself.

Voices need to heard

2005-12-15T16:10:00.000-05:00

-because words
need to be spoken
or written
feelings need to be
expressed –
Hopes & dreams
need to be realized—
cries need to be
uhered, hopelessness
talked about
concerns voiced
jokes to be told.

Tina

Spiritual Aids

2005-12-15T16:09:00.000-05:00

I was inspired to use these spiritual aids to help me to have peace, comfort, and support in my own personal life. My hopes and intentions are for these aids to be of assistance, too, in other people’s lives.

B.J

-God is Love
-For With God Nothing is Impossible
-Set your mind on those things Above, Not on things on the Earth, for they are only temporary
-For He Himself has Said, “I will Never leave you or forsake you.”
-Always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for All.
-Live What Your Believe
-Let all that you do be done with love
-For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight
-Anxiety in the heart… causes depression, but a good Word makes it glad
-Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his Soul from troubles.

NIA Internalized

2005-12-15T14:34:00.000-05:00

NIA: the 5th principal of Kwanzaa
NIA = Purpose: To make our collective vocation in the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Everyday I look at faces, varied hues of vanilla, caramels and browns
some creased with lines from pain, worries and frowns.

The lines reflect the struggles, tears and fears
of not making it and the smiles of when they did.

I'm asking a question, I pose it to you
while you think about it to thine own self be true.

What is your purpose
your legacy, your song
what is your reason, your passion, for what do you long?

One sistuh crying pleading for help
another is dying all by her self.

A girl child is sexin -- giving it away
A woman is using "not again" you say.

Some mother, grandmother, child living on the streeet
yet we pass her daily
never her eyes do we meet.

To give her a dime, a quarter, a dollar or two.
or give her nothing forgetting
there but for the grace of God go you.

Nia collective purpose what is that all about?
It's all us in the same struggle without a doubt.

Empathy sympathy are not one in the same.
It's about sharing victories and soothing another's pain.

Community is not just the block where u live
It's a community of sistuh-hood where we all have something to give

A word of kindness, a hug, a smile
sharing someone's burden going the extra mile.

So what does NIA really mean to you?
Ponder it deeply to thine own self be true.

My Love

2005-12-15T14:33:00.000-05:00

This is dedicated to the one I loved—Death be not proud…

You’re only as free as you want to be, my love
But when you go away, my love will stay
For it is true, my love
You’re only as free as you want to be, my love
Each memory and each thought
Will be as beautiful as each morning dawn
For it is true, my love
You’re only as free as you want to be
But always remember the past
For they were the happy and sad times
We spent together. For it is true
You’re only as free as you want to be, my love

J.G.

Resources in the Community That Made a Difference

2005-12-15T14:25:00.000-05:00

An Interview with B.J.

Some of the resources which I’ve used during my homelessness, and after I was no longer homeless, are On the Rise, the Multi-Service Center, HomeStart, and the Community Food Pantries.

On The Rise is the number one resource—I used On The Rise quite often and still use them. They’re an excellent source of support for you when you’re needing someone to comfort you, or you’re needing someone to uplift you, or you need some information, or you need someone to advocate for you. They’re good for clothing resources. They’re also good if you’re needing vitamins, or just health aids. It’s also a good place to get a healthy meal and a good place to come if you’re needing a place to rest, take a nap, take a shower, or get some outside resources like therapy, or health care. On The Rise is good if you just need some support in everyday life things: children, custody, visitation, trying to get an apartment, trying to get Section 8 housing, trying to get into a shelter, trying to get out of a shelter, furniture…all kinds of things. I just thank God for On the Rise.

Another resource I’ve used and still use is the Multi-Service Center. They’re a good place to make phone calls on the spur of the moment if you don’t have any money or change—you can use the phone for about 10 minutes. That was a very good resource for me while I was in a shelter. I was able to have contact with my family early in the morning after leaving the shelter, to check back in with them because I didn’t have a cell phone. I’d call my dad in the morning, and also my brother, so they were able to know that I got through the night and that I was OK. If I needed anything, it was early enough in the morning—8:30—so they could help me if they needed to. The Multi-Service Center also helps with resumes when you are ready and stable enough to look for a job or continue your career, or start your career, or whatever. They’re very helpful with resumes, cover letters, and stuff. That’s very useful because a lot of places here charge you. So, if you don’t have a lot of money or you don’t have any money at all, and you’ve never had a resume, the Multi-Service Center will put one together that will show your strengths, even if you don’t have a degree. They’ll also help you once you get into housing or a room or with getting money together for security deposits, furniture, or other things.

I also continue using the Community Food Pantries. If you’re getting a disability check or you just have limited money if you’re homeless, or if even if you’re not homeless, they’re good resources for getting healthy food. They help when you’re short on money—when you’re in a tight bind and have to make a little stretch a long way.

HomeStart is also good. They’re housing advocates that help you while you’re in a shelter and they also help once you get into either a rooming house or your own apartment. They will vouch for you, act as advocates for you, help you get furniture, help if you’re having problems in your current living situation with management or tenants. They really go to bat for you.

You Are the Most Important and Beautiful Person in Our Family

2005-12-15T14:24:00.001-05:00

Thank you
For providing us with the stability to keep us confident
The knowledge to help us accomplish things
The strength to help us conquer difficulties
The dedication to help us grow
And the enormous amount of time
That you spend to keep us close
Thank you
For always being there to help
For always being there to care
You are a very rare person
Because you put your family’s needs
Far ahead of your own
I want you to know
How much I appreciate this
I want to thank you
For being such an important
And beautiful person
In our family
And I want you to know that you can
Depend on me for anything
You might need
I love you
More than anything in the world.

Y.L.T.

Smoke

2005-12-15T14:24:00.000-05:00

i saw
a very slowly
burning
match
thinking
about the damage
one match
could do
to anything flammable.

O.

Survival and Safety Tips for a Shelter Atmosphere

2005-12-15T14:16:00.000-05:00

1. Remember the shelter is NOT your home.

2. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep your eyes and ears open.

3. Everyone who says they are there to help you may NOT have your best interests at heart.

4. Learn to go with the flow of things. Things sometimes change without notice.

5. Learn to think before you speak. That last word you thought was important might cause you to lose your place at the shelter.

6. Be quick to listen and slow to get angry.

7. Have compassion for yourself and others. No one is perfect. We all have bad days.

8. Keep personal belongings with you at all times—money, i.d., phone book, keys, etc.

9. Carry a backpack instead of a purse. Backpacks allow more room to carry things.

10. Try to eat and drink daily to keep up your strength.

11. Try to care of yourself physically. Go to sleep early and wake up early for quiet time.

12. Do positive things.

13. Find and keep a strong support system. These people can help you get through a bad day and/or tough circumstances.

14. Do fun things that make you laugh.

15. Hang around fun and positive people.

16. Carry trial size items that fit in your backpack: tissues, hand sanitizer, tampons or pads, hard candy, Tylenol, hand soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Also carry underwear and socks.

17. Take vitamins to help keep your body stay healthy.

18. Do at least one thing a day to make you feel good. This does NOT always have to cost money. For example, you can look in the mirror and say, “I’m something special and God loves me!”

19. Get a hobby or something that you can use to turn yourself around when things are too overwhelming to deal with---listening to music, sewing, reading, etc.

20. If you can, make a good friend who you can talk to, go places with, and most of all, support and get support from for life’s burdens.

Home

2005-12-15T14:15:00.001-05:00

Home is where
the heart is
Home is to be
alone
Home is where
I live everyday
all alone
That’s my home
I pray
I rest
my neck and
get prepared to go to
my mansion in the
sky
my real home

J.G.

A Blessing For Today

2005-12-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

To My Dear Little Sister, Sakinah

The day had gone all wrong.
A woman gave me words of encouragement.
I looked up and there you were standing.
Saying "Hi," you asked if I needed anything.
You kissed me and whispered in my ear, "I always love you."
I stood and pulled you close to me.
Thank you, you were my blessing.

A Brand-New Me

2005-12-15T14:14:00.000-05:00

Celebrating a New Me

I woke up this morning and I felt brand-new.
I said to myself, "Is this really something
that could be true?"
My mind seemed clearer and I had a brand-new
point of view. Then I said to myself,
"I now got a new state of mind
and a more positive attitude."
Two things I felt that would help me accomplish great
new things. Thank God for new beginnings!
And good people around to tell you,
"Don't worry, things will soon turn around for the best!"

Get Along

2005-12-15T14:07:00.000-05:00

I'm so sick of animosity, population growth
of the hypocrisy, in our pathetic screwed
up democracy. What the hell happened to
society? Don't get me wrong. I'm not a
communist. Their system's way more messed
up than ours is. Why can't we just get
along? We need to analyze, contemplate,
compromise to fix the situation. Not just
kick back and let it end in oblivion.
Please, we need to get along! Release the
bad thoughts with sugar and spice.
If you don't do these things, then you're
gonna pay the price. Don't do one thing
and say another. Can't you see we're just
torturing each other? If not then, when
will we discover how to get along?

J.G.V.

We Are Voices Together

2005-12-14T17:56:00.000-05:00

Voices Together is a group of homeless and formerly homeless women , who have come together to express their ideas through writing. We give voice to women whose experiences, creativity, and insights are often unrecognized and undervalued. Through various avenues of expression, in this, our new publication --- Voices Together, we will offer insights into the reality of homelessness and provide an outlet for the voices of our experience. Watch for our first posts coming soon! If you would like more information or would like to make any comments, please e-mail us at voicestogether@ontherise.org