Homeless Word
There used to be a fella who would sit next to an I-5 freeway on-ramp in San Diego. Everyday he’d have a new “odd” saying written on cardboard. I used to look forward to seeing what strange thing he had written that day. Sometimes they made sense… sometimes not.
I want to see the ones that didn’t make sense. Ha,ha,ha.
I never saw that guy when I lived in California, but I’ve heard of him. I think of a homeless man I used to pass every morning on the way to work in Philadelphia. For ten years he was on the same grate. He said nothing, he did nothing. When comparing the two in my mind, I realize that, speaking out – whether written, spoken or visually, whether rationally or nonsensically – is that precious ability to shake we “normal” people from our shell of safety and understand that these are humans, too, and our perception of compassion is far too narrow.
A toaster, yes…but what about a reallllly good crock pot?
Hey, at least you know he’s working for his coin.
Talked to a guy one day, he had a sign that said, “Bet you can’t hit me with a quarter.” He said people had been proving him wrong the whole day. He felt it was his obligation to entertain the people who might give him money instead of just beg. That explained the sign he had the next week which read, “Will take off clothes for food. Will keep them on for money.”
Yah, a crock pot…. mmmm… sooooouuuup. No, no! Friends worth more!!!
Everytime I go down to Santa Barbara, there’s a homeless fella who makes these amazing sand creations. He parks next to the wharf and asks for money if you want a picture of it…. The last one I saw was a mermaid and a sailor in an embrace. I don’t mind putting down some coin for that! I feel the same for the street musicians, and those with a sense of humor.
Serious note: Can you imagine what it feels like to be ignored? People walk by you everyday and pretend they don’t see you… Even if I have nothing to give, I at least respond, say hello, or sorry. Like you said, Pete, our perception of compassion is often too narrow. OKAY, that was my little public service announcement.
Most definitly agreed on the street musicians :)! Busking is doing something awesome just because it’s awesome, and that is awesome.
Good point about at least saying “hello” rather than just walking by! Keep those public service announcements coming!!
When I went abroad with a group from school, we saw street musicians EVERYWHERE!!! One in particular that stood out to me was when we were going to catch the subway to get to another area, there was a man playing the accordian. It was amazing to see this man that was obviously out in the streets playing this instrument, putting his heart and soul into it.