The Art of Ending Homelessness: 2011

Monday, October 3, 2011

home more or less by Paul Casey

for the homeless

There lies all the time in the world
in the stone of a winter doorway.
The city has its own dream,
and talks in its sleep, softly.
A low drone of summer bees
in harmony somewhere far away, vibrates
just where my sleeping bag meets the ground.
Wings ache. Have forgotten their purpose.
Rest is the only prize now.

And soon it is the dark morning.
Having only rediscovered stillness
the promise of that other world stirs
sweeping away the oh-so-close nirvana
from this womb of generous sleep.
I will return soon, soft stone
to whisper into your tired ears a blessing
for that soul I may never meet
who left this fruit and steaming tea.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Something has my name by Seshmin Tekhumaa

Something has my name
Something has my name
Something has my name that I can claim…
For I do not seek fortune or fame
Something has my name
For life is not a game
Something has my name
And it doesn’t come with a price
Let me recite
For something has my name
My space or place is not
The streets, a shelter, a grave, a cell
Or a place to dwell with a lover,
My parents or others
For something has my name
Ask the question, use your brain
Set it in motion don’t forget your focus
Hocus pocus
Something has my name
For I have been through many toils
As well as spoils
Highs and lows
Long days, dark nights…
Life and death
With every step
Something has my name
This is not a game
Stay the path
Outlast, go beyond
For something has my name
That can’t be told
But indeed showed
Something has my name
Not homeless
But less-of-a-home
By all means continue to roam
‘till you again reach home
It is said its where the heart is
Search within
Listen to your inner voice
Be silent
Be still
Something has my name
Do you see the writing all around
Do you see the signs
Something has my name
Remember while on the road back
Someone has your back
Someone’s watching
Something has my name
Do you know
Do you know
The way back is all a glow
For something has my name
The highs and lows of it all
The strange and the bizarre
Experiences, mysteries…revealed
Ahhh something has my name
Silly one use your brain
Keep your eye on the sparrow
Notice in creation all the other
Creatures’ spaces around you
The birds, the bees, the trees
Life in its infinite forms
Seen and unseen
Where is your place
Where is your space
For something has my name
Something has my name
Something has my name
If you don’t find your space or place
Some person, place or thing will put
You in a space or place you don’t
Belong or want to be at
God forbid you get trapped
Or can’t find your way back
Place yourself
Space yourself
For something has my name
The door…the key…
Open Sesame
For keeps.

by Seshmin Tekhumaa