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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

Date: 5/9/2021 12:04:00 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
Date: 5/9/2021 7:12:00 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

Date: 5/8/2021 1:24:00 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
Date: 5/8/2021 8:40:00 PM

So true, Krish. Compassion goes a long way. :) gw

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 5/7/2021 10:57:00 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
Date: 5/8/2021 9:00:00 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

Date: 5/7/2021 5:30:00 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
Date: 5/8/2021 9:01:00 PM

Yup... Self-Destruction is an apt term. Thanks for the insight, Judy. :) gw

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 5/7/2021 3:29:00 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
Date: 5/7/2021 3:40:00 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

Date: 5/7/2021 11:55:00 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
Date: 5/7/2021 3:36:00 PM

'Seem to.' :)

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 5/7/2021 9:24:00 AM

So sad and pathetic a story Gershon.... May his hopes to survive be fulfilled... God bless.. ~ Ani

Gershon Wolf
Date: 5/8/2021 9:01:00 PM

Thank you for the kindness in the words of your comment, Ani. :) gw

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/7/2021 5:30:00 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
Date: 5/7/2021 1:08:00 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

Date: 5/6/2021 9:38:00 PM

The sad thing is this happens all too often ~ what a waste.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 5/7/2021 1:06:00 PM

Both a human and a cardboard box are, indeed, terrible things to waste. Agreed. lol. Thanks, Line