Gershon Wolf Poet Narrative

Home's a Cardboard Box

Weaving, stumbling from one job to another
  His roadmap reeks of discontinuity
And that is why his home's a cardboard box
  He's squandered each and every opportunity

A fancy lady passerby, mercy in her eyes
  Once offered him her hand, if he could just stay sober
But that very winter's night he'd gotten drunk
  Next morn the gig was over...

Now's he's living on the street again
   Hoping to survive
Another round of ice and snow ~
  Odds so long: He's all of twenty-five

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Richard Lamoureux May 9, 2021 at 12:04 AM It’s a complicated topic. Having spent years as a volunteer at The Kelowna Gospel Mission, I have met many people down and out. There are some who remain and others who thankfully make their way out. It’s like watching angels gain flight. Gershon Wolf May 9, 2021 at 7:12 PM Yes, you are right, Richard. I apologize for making it seem as if everyone on the street 'belongs there.' Nobody does, really. :) gw

Krish Radhakrishna May 8, 2021 at 1:24 AM Very sad but with a hint of humour. Some people can be helped with money but most can be helped with compassion! His state is sad!! wish we could reach out! Gershon Wolf May 8, 2021 at 8:40 PM So true, Krish. Compassion goes a long way. :) gw

Shirley Hawkins May 7, 2021 at 10:57 PM More than sad... I agree with KIm. I have two adult children with Schizophrenia, both bright at school, my daughter was a nurse before this very debilitating, misunderstood disease altered her life forever. My son the same. Drugs and alcohol and heavy smoking are common to the unfortunate people with this affliction. (Drunkenness is more obvious than Mental illness,) They have very little dignity of care and are thought of by many as a nuisance to society. Others don't work by choice. Unfair? Gershon Wolf May 8, 2021 at 9:00 PM O, Shirley. My heart goes out to you. I am at a loss for words, other than to wish you strength and faith... As for homelessness, it was thoughtless and heartless of me to even imply that angels like your children should be lumped in with common drunks. Please accept my apologies! In apologia, Gershon

Judy Ball May 7, 2021 at 5:30 PM Such a sad piece here my friend. However some people can't be helped because they lack the will to help themselves. The more you give to them the more they take but wont try to get in a position to earn their own way. It's called "Self Destruction". Good job. God Bless, JB Gershon Wolf May 8, 2021 at 9:01 PM Yup... Self-Destruction is an apt term. Thanks for the insight, Judy. :) gw

Connie Marcum Wong May 7, 2021 at 3:29 PM I am with Rico on this one Gershon. I stay healthy by not seeing the doctor except for a yearly check up. Second stanza second line typo? Stay sober? It is so sad to see anyone suffer especially in the cold snow. Blessings xxoo Gershon Wolf May 7, 2021 at 3:40 PM I write from my experience. Every year where I live, I seealmost all new beggars at busy intersections. I ask the 'vets' about those 'missing' this year. Almost always the answer is 'Deceased.' Easy to discount doctors, but without a yearly check-up, all sorts of problems crop up, esp. after age 40. To Life, Gershon

Rico Leffanta May 7, 2021 at 11:55 AM What is really sad is they seem to survive in better health than those who spend their money to stay healthy! Aloha! Rico Gershon Wolf May 7, 2021 at 3:36 PM 'Seem to.' :)

Anitha Jayasankar May 7, 2021 at 9:24 AM So sad and pathetic a story Gershon.... May his hopes to survive be fulfilled... God bless.. ~ Ani Gershon Wolf May 8, 2021 at 9:01 PM Thank you for the kindness in the words of your comment, Ani. :) gw

Kim Rodrigues May 7, 2021 at 5:30 AM So much sadness in this. Sometimes there is more to this. A depression...mental illness. One thing I hate is pat answers. Professionals see only a patient not the person. So these patients look to relieve symptoms themselves with drugs and alcohol. The prescriptions scattered to the wind for their side effects are unacceptable. Gershon Wolf May 7, 2021 at 1:08 PM Very perceptive, Kim. I agree. I've known a couple of these fellows. Both of them were mental cases. Very sad. One had been a professor. :) gw

Line Gauthier May 6, 2021 at 9:38 PM The sad thing is this happens all too often ~ what a waste. Gershon Wolf May 7, 2021 at 1:06 PM Both a human and a cardboard box are, indeed, terrible things to waste. Agreed. lol. Thanks, Line