Street Images II: Writings from Street People, #2
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About this ebook
In this work Street Images, we are struck by the passion of the persons who speak through a variety of their lived experiences. One poet, who titles his or her poem, Anonymous, says:
So do not ask
Why we pass unknown...
It is enough that we blaze....
These work are from many who have been "On the Street" and "Behind Closed Doors." There's real pain, real joy, real triumph and real defeat in these writings. Such persons, who have extreme experiences, are driven to share them, whatever beauty, meaning, or lessons that can bring. So we invite you to join in their poetic passion, to immerse yourselves and feel the blaze that is within each of us.
Michael A. Susko
The author enjoys telling stories to children and his own child. In an urban setting, he helped found and taught at a progressive elementary school, featuring arts integration. His interest in animals and folk-lore led him to write these "Just So" stories which seek to entertain and educate.
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Street Images II - Michael A. Susko
PREFACE
––––––––
As I complete and re-edit this second Street Images, I am struck by the consistency of theme, by the passion of the persons who speak through a variety of lived experiences. As one poet, who titles his or her poem, Anonymous, says:
So do not ask
Why we pass unknown...
It is enough that we blaze....
There’s real pain, real joy, real triumph and real defeat here, but such is the fabric of our lives. Persons, who have had extreme experiences, are driven to share them, revealing beauty, meaning, and a way of surviving. And once we receive and take to heart but one message, we may find our entire lives changed. That is the poetic power, a power under-rated today. So we invite you for a while to immerse yourselves and to feel the blaze that is within each of us.
Michael A. Susko, editor 5/17/2020
––––––––
Cover Art, Cityscape by John Herman
On the Street – Louis Tragessor
Behind Closed Doors – Mary Cate Carrol, Waiting for Godot
Flowers in the City – Robert Fish
INTRODUCTION TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION
Four years ago, an edition of Street Images was published on the premise that the homeless and those who have suffered brokenness have something of value to communicate to society. People are still on the street, still on locked wards, and still communicating. Enough material has been collected to publish a second edition of Street Images.
It is the hope of this journal, as witnessed by the voices within, that our model of care relies on compassion and not control. And perhaps, in listening to the voices of the broken, we too may become more whole.
The first section On the Street
contains writings from those who have been on the street or currently are. The second section, entitled Behind Closed Doors,
includes writings from those who have been in Psychiatric Hospitals or Halfway Houses.
Finally, Flowers in the City,
gives us images of hope, that despite the pain and suffering, flowers
can be found in the city.
Michael A. Susko, editor
*A biographical sketch of some authors is found in the appendix.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It takes a bit of faith and the active support of many people to finish a project like this. For their financial support and moral support I would like to thank Kay Homer, Lisa Renshaw, Harry Livingstone, Josie Kostritsky, Ek Correlli, Lowell Glendon, Marian Viets and Robin.
Especially I would like to thank Carol Seddon who loaned me her electronic typewriter and who proofread much of the text.
To those who helped in the final stages: Bruce Whitcomb who was willing to be interviewed, Carl Schoettler who has provided newspaper coverage, and to the Workers Action Press.
And lastly to the many authors who entrusted their work to me, and for all the homeless and broken people everywhere.
ON THE STREET
Creativity cares about everything
This world is but a piece of paper to God
Jim Brown
The American Way of Life
and the cold shoulder
The song done by Johnny Cash
Walk on by
People develop a cast of mind
They always convenience themselves
The U. S. of A. is on sentimental easy street.
Robert Page
No gurus arise
in cold weather. We share priests
Bag man, and poets,
Michael K. O’Doherty
––––––––
This Hat is My Story
On the cap’s front visor is a red reflector and an electric on-off switch. A plastic Statue of Liberty, with a rubber tire around its base, is on the right. On the left is a patch labeled Canada, a choo-choo train, and a yellow plastic bird. An orange band encircles the hat. (Editor’s description.)
"The hat’s name