Run 4 The Homeless

I've been gearing up for a 5K 4 The Homeless Run in Lincoln later this summer that will benefit the local homeless. I've been raising money for the event through donations, and if you by chance read this and would like to help the cause, please do.

I've never been homeless. Never ever really wondered where I'd be able to sleep for even one night. I'm not sure I'll ever have to, and for that, I'm entirely grateful.

I'm beyond fortunate. I realize this now more than ever watching people in neighboring Missouri deal with their lives turned upside down recently following the tornadoes that hit the state. I don't cry much, but I've shed many tears watching the reports.

I feel and know how fortunate I am.  By no means am I basking in riches, but I'm able to stuff food in my mouth three times a day. I wear clothes that keep me warm. I have a bar of soap to use whenever I need it. I drive each morning to the job I have. I'm able to afford a few things that keep me entertained. I've traveled more than I thought. I have the means to aspire to more if I so want to.

I have so little to legitimately complain about, and still, I find myself doing it too often. It's been wonderful raising money for something that other than spiritually, I'll never benefit from personally. It's been wonderful being unselfish. Wonderful to give money and comfort to people I've never met and probably never will. To know someone may benefit directly from something I helped bring about.

I've done plenty of volunteer work through my life, but most of it has related to the environment and animals. For whatever reason, other than handing over a few bucks or spare change to a homeless man or woman on the street whenever the situation presents itself, I've never done anything on a bigger scale concerning this issue. I'm glad to say I don't think it will be the last time.

May 6th Encounter Entirely Certain

We meet again,

just when I believed you’d drown.

Face to face,

past to past,

two boys out on the town.

If it’s possible,

if I’m able,

I’ll cherish this rendezvous.  

I learn much,

these seconds of hate.

They stockpile my dignity,

reinvigorate.

They replenish my faith,

renew integrity I feared

had long past faded.

Oh, I ache to punch, 

yearn to maim.

Ultimately, 

why waste the motion?

You suffer obvious already;

a prisoner of meaningless devotion.

Those pretty-boy jeans,

you wear them just right.  

That wrinkle-free shirt

rolled up so precise.

Both match the bracelet

that dangles such so,

accent spiky hair

gelled slick to flow.

Such a hip little earring.

Such daring hair on the lip.

Such trendy brown boots

laced as not to slip.

You walk in no direction.

You’re a bullet without a hole.

You’re a situation master;

a builder without a home.

Should I have expected different

from a clown so in tune?

A wave rider so offensive?

A disease so immune?

You’re trendy chic cool,

a mug etched cock-sure.

You’re everything to despise;

everything to endure.

You’re a walking stain,

a blemish in motion,

a lingering flaw

that won’t scrub free.

You’re a bad intention,

a sad invention,

a sour taste

that won’t wash out.

You're a little puppy,

searching door to door,

a lie about to transpire,

a sad, little whore.

We meet again here together,

one a boy, the other a man;

one an opportunist,

one a provider, teacher, guardian.  

BAF

Driving Together Alone

Driving alone

down broken city byways

trafficking bobbing heads,

laughing prisoners,

hollow-minded zombies dead to feel,

I realize I’m incapable of response.  

I realize I’ve always driven

among hypnotized souls,

following,

turning,

merging,

braking,

a willing participant in pigeon-holed jams.

We haul no intention.

We map no aim.

Steer-happy lab rats

traversing Point A to B,

ignoring destinations labeled Purpose,

ignoring moments free of dictated arrival,

ignoring landmarks in lieu of acceleration.

We’re rut makers on four wheels,

stymied by side streets,

confused by rolling hills,

bewildered by fields stretched empty,

content to funnel home.

We’ve always driven together alone,

happy for the company we’ll never know.

BAF