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MORE THAN A MAGAZINE Volume 2 | Issue 8 | $2.00

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4 Executive Director Letter Matt Shaw
5 How I Got Out of Homelessness Troy Burtnick
6 Tawanna: One Year Later Matt Shaw
8 What’s in Your Bag, David? David Goldberg
9 A Poem About Mental Illness STC
10 Hypothermia Mark Gansert
11 I Would Like Franklin Wright
12 Writing Workshop: Nighthawks Various
14 I Need to Get This Off My Chest Ruth Hsieh
15 Thankful Looking Hoping Edward Smalls
16 Watch Your Back Laurie Koelsch
17 Homelessness Lists Earleen & Kimberly
18 What Gives Me Strength Various
20 Get Ready Get Ready Get Ready Josh Caldwell
21 The Cost of Caring Earleen Mingo
22 We Hear Things Randy Parcher
23 Before the Death of Abraham Rick Emery
Team Contact

EDITING & WORKSHOPS SPEAK UP WRITING
Peggi Knowe, Matt Shaw, Leah Burnett, 501 Hawthorne Lane WORKSHOPS
Harry Griffin, Jena Aldridge, Nate Casey Charlotte, NC 28204 Tues, 2:00PM
Thurs, 11AM
VISUALS 704-980-9885 (office)
Debbi Shaw, photos www.speakupmag.org INFO MEETING
Peggi Knowe, photos and photo editing info@speakupmag.org Wed, 2:00 PM
Matt Shaw, layout and photos

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JOBS + VOICES

More than a Magazine
Speak Up Magazine is a 501(c)3 non-profit
that gives voice to and offers an income
opportunity for people in transition and
those who are vulnerably-housed. They
become micro-business owners who buy
copies of Speak Up for a low price and resell
them, keeping all the cash and earning a
profit. As a result, these enterprising street
vendors learn to manage their resources,
grow their businesses and change their lives
with dignity.

Speak Up is a member of the
International Network of Street Papers.

What is a Speak Up vendor?
“Vendor” is the title for the hard-working
individuals who distribute Speak Up. Most
likely, they are in transition or are vulnerably
housed. Your purchase of this magazine is
part of their journey out of poverty. You can
learn more at speakupmag.org/vendors. Look for a valid Speak Up badge

What if I give money but don’t take the magazine?
Always take the magazine! You may want to give extra—feel free to tip, but also take the
product. Handouts, “donations,” and tips without a product exchange undermine your
vendor’s efforts to work. Give dignity, not just money.

But I don’t have any cash!
A few smartphone-equipped vendors can accept a credit card payment. For now, the best
option is to plan ahead and bring cash.

How can I help?
Buy a magazine and speak to your local vendor. Then donate to Speak Up and volunteer.

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[EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LETTER]
I WILL THRIVE

By Matt Shaw

I’ve been re-reading “Toxic Charity” by
Bob Lupton. If you are reading Speak Up
but haven’t read his book, get it now! He
draws on four decades of experience as a
worker among impoverished American and
international communities to present his
thesis that charity “often hurts more than it
helps.”
To illustrate a point, he contrasts two
organizations both serving the food needs
of the poor.
The first group hosts a classic food
pantry where each week church volunteers
supply low-income people with bags of
groceries—sometimes accompanied by
a spiritual message. The volunteers feel
good about their service and people are
no longer hungry…at least for a week.
In the second instance, the church has
empowered low-income people to start
their own food co-op: the food recipients
pay monthly dues and collectively buy
large quantities of the food. The co-
op is managed and staffed by the food
recipients. However, this model isn’t as
fun; fewer church volunteers are needed them handouts or clothes or food cards or
and people are sometimes told “no” when vouchers for free stuff, the reverse occurs.
they haven’t been responsible to keep up They give Speak Up money! It may be $2 or
their dues. $20, but in either case, when they reinvest
The first model perpetuates a cycle of and resupply their micro-business, the
dependency. The second gives people the dignity and sense of optimism of the
tools to break that cycle. transaction is tangible.
And that is what happens every day So many beliefs are wrapped up in that
through Speak Up. Below is a snippet of joyful moment when they invest their
how it plays out. money: "I am responsible." "I work hard."
There is a weekly meeting to which “I am an entrepreneur.” "I will thrive." “I
all participants (vendors) are invited. can do it.” "I have hope."
Near the start of the meeting, they share Your purchase of this magazine and
about their successes, best practices and support of Speak Up empowers people
goals. There's laughter and learning, with the optimism and tools needed to
conversation and connection. But the break out of a dependency-based cycle of
best moment comes near the end when charity. Thank you!
it is time for the vendors to buy more
magazines.
This is where the standard "helping the
homeless" dynamic is flipped on its head. Matt and Lana Shaw founded Speak Up
Instead of Speak Up charitably giving Magazine in 2011.

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[RISING UP]
HOW I GOT OUT OF HOMELESSNESS

By Troy Burtnick

There are many facets to the particular week, King's Kitchen and Jim Noble be-
question of how I rose out of homelessness. ing a constant source of love and encour-
First and foremost, and by far the biggest of agement, and the First United Methodist
these facets was me, myself, and I. Church opening its doors every Sunday
Without the want and the drive to bet- morning for food, coffee, fellowship, and
ter myself and my conditions, I would still encouragement. Let’s not forget the burri-
be there today. It takes courage, strength, to people on their bikes handing out awe-
determination, and humility to rise above some breakfast burritos and Capri Suns
this plight in society. I had that and more. to the group who feeds on Tuesdays (that
So have many others I’ve seen who have everyone affectionately calls “the beans
risen above and succeeded where so many and rice people”). There's Urban Minis-
fail. I’m not tooting my own horn or theirs tries that does so much for the homeless
for that matter. I’m simply stating a fact and the community around them that it
that, fortunately, I can be proud of. With- is staggering. The Crisis Center’s Room
out me, myself, and I, this journey would at the Inn…I think you get the picture al-
have never started, and my road would though I could fill pages with how many
continue to be dark and cold. groups, organizations and churches are
It wasn’t me alone though. Without the out there fighting the fight. All of this, and
beating heart of Charlotte NC that cares so so much more, make up this rough dia-
deeply for this travesty of society, I might mond of how I rose above homelessness.
still be there no matter how hard I tried. We cannot forget the second biggest
It is the work of the churches that feed factor in my success and that is, of course,
throughout the week with loving words of my new-found home and family at Speak
encouragement, the city morgue opening Up Magazine.
their doors to us almost every day of the

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[COVER INTERVIEW]
TAWANNA: ONE YEAR LATER

Interview by Matt Shaw

IT’S BEEN 13 MONTHS SINCE YOUR a choice in letting them be themselves,
FIRST APPEARED ON THE COVER but be all right with who they are and
OF THE SPEAK UP ZINE AND their personalities. Everybody’s not going
WERE INTERVIEWED. WHAT HAS to be the person you want them to be, but
CHANGED SINCE THEN? they’re going to be their own person. But
My living situation has changed a few that’s wonderful in itself because that’s
times. Everything’s been great. the way they’re going to be.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN THE WHAT’S BEEN REALLY GOOD IN
LAST YEAR? THE LAST YEAR?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that Everything! Family. Friends. Everything’s
people are going to be themselves, and been pretty good even though I’ve had
you have to let them. You don’t really have little problems come up. But still, even

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with the problems, I’ve learned to laugh a lot of people out here trying to do
and enjoy it because it’s all part of life. something positive or do something to
help the next man.” I get that often.
YOU’VE WRITTEN A LOT FOR THE
ZINE. WHY DO YOU WRITE FOR WHAT’S A RECENT CHALLENGING
THE ZINE? ENCOUNTER YOU’VE HAD WHILE
I like writing for the Zine because a SELLING THE ZINE?
lot of times I get to share some of my Hmm…I can’t really say I’ve had any
testimonies and let people know that challenging experiences. I really don’t
they aren’t alone with the hard times they have any problems.
are going through.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT
IN A PREVIOUS PIECE, YOU WROTE THING YOU DO EVERY DAY?
ABOUT YOUR NEEDS BEING MET Wake up and thank God for letting me
IN A REALLY UNEXPECTED WAY. IN wake up to see another day.
THE LAST YEAR, HAVE YOU SEEN
OTHER INSTANCES OF PROVISION? WHO IS THE PERSON YOU ARE
Oh, every day! It’s not even on a large- CLOSEST TO?
scale basis. But I feel like everything I have a strong connection with all of my
is possible with prayer. If you’re living family and friends…Blessed.
right and try to live your life in the way
God wants you to, everything will be WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LIFE
provided. I don’t have a lot, but I don’t TO LOOK LIKE IN FIVE YEARS?
want for anything. Basically, things that I will have my own non-profit started. I
I need always come to me. even have a name for it. It’s called Kids for
Community. It would be recruiting kids
HOW DO YOU STAY SO POSITIVE? in the community to do stuff to help the
I think that I stay positive because I’ve community like cleaning up, taking out
been through so much negative stuff, the trash for older people. There are a lot
and I’m still alive and able to share that of kids out here that don’t have anything
with other people. I like to be able to to do. No direction. So I’d like to start
share with people that, yeah, you know something like that. I’ve been reading
you go through negative stuff but it’s OK. books and learning how to start it.
It’s over with. You can still smile. There’s
no point in dwelling on the sad stuff and HAS SPEAK UP AFFECTED YOU?
dragging it around ‘cuz it’s not gonna I was little bit more quiet and reserved
help you at all. when I talked to people as much as I
do now. It’s helped me realize that my
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU HAVE life is in my hands, in my control. Just
WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES? like if I’m hungry, I can go out and sell
My lip gloss. magazines, make a profit and be able to
take care of it.
WHAT’S A RECENT POSITIVE
ENCOUNTER YOU’VE HAD WHILE WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE
SELLING THE ZINE? CONVINCED IS TRUE?
I always have a lot of good encounters. That with faith and prayer, any and
People tell me, “You know, I don’t see everything is possible.

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[GLIMPSE]
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG, DAVID?

We asked artist David Alan Goldberg to share what he totes around on a daily basis.

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[POETRY]
A POEM ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS

By STC

It is a cement -filled post.
He places his hand on top.
He walks past, then retraces his steps,
Touches it again.
Then it is the side of a building made of brick.
He almost rests his hand there.
Okay, next is the sidewalk—the same, bowing.
Okay, he is obsessive—compulsive.
Okay
Okay.
Okay.
Aren’t we all?
When I am inside, he is the greeter at the desk.
I have a non-descript backpack.
I ask him if I can leave it at the desk.
He kindly allows me to set his hands on fire.
He gets up. Sits down.
He gets up. Sits down.
He—
He murmurs words I cannot hear or understand.
But when I return, the backpack is safe and there.
Untouched.
I feel at such a loss.

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[FROM WITHIN]
HYPOTHERMIA: STORY & POEM

By Mark Gansert
STORY

The bank sign on South Tryon read 42° at
3:36 a.m. It had been raining all night. I
was soaked to the bone and suffering the
beginning stages of hypothermia. I sat with
arms pulled into my not-so-waterproof
jacket in a kind of heat-escape-lessening
posture. I desperately needed to strip naked
and get dry clothes on. Unfortunately, that
wasn’t happening at a bus stop on South
Tryon in the center of Uptown.
Also present at the bus stop was a
man who was wildly intoxicated on,
curiously enough, generic Listerine
mouthwash—the obvious choice of the dried off and warmed in what could only
mildly belligerent and hopeless alcoholic be described as a giant hand dryer from
who was too drunk to notice that his lips a public restroom. I sat there with three
were blue, his teeth were chattering, and other homeless men also soaking wet and
he needed dry clothes as much as I did. trying to get warm on a public sidewalk
As the rain tapered off near 4 am, I when an overbearing, pompous, and
wandered freezing toward City Center plain-mean security guard threatened us
and to the bus depot which would be with police action if we didn’t move along.
opening soon. As I passed the first set At 4:25 in the morning, it seemed sadistic
of stairs on College, a warm blast of air of him. I had a mind to invite him to call
flooded the sidewalk. It felt incredible. the cops. However, it was best just to go.
The air handlers from the condensing side If you read this, and it’s raining and
of the building’s heat exchanger flooded cold outside in Charlotte, just know that
its precious heat onto the street. there are men and women who can’t get
I stood there in the very dry, warm, into the shelters. They could be elderly or
fast-moving air and was simultaneously infirm, and that could spell their demise.

POEM

It rained for ten straight hours.
There was no shelter.
It was forty-nine degrees by 3 a.m.
A mass of desperate souls were on the sidewalk outside the City Center
where the HVAC system vents heated air into the street.
We were all wet and cold.
We were all tired and miserable.
Some of us were drunk.
Most of us were sane.
All of us were homeless.

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[JOURNEY OF DESIRE]
I WOULD LIKE

By Franklin Wright

I would like to have my own place. and go to sleep at the same time. They could
go to church, go out to eat, go home to sleep,
I would like a car. and have a nice park for the kids, men and
women. I would like to provide a private
I would love to start preaching and start a place, just for them, called the “Homeless
church. Heaven” for the homeless people.

I would like to earn enough money to help I want to stay free.
people in need.
I want to finish my book.
I would like to have a hotel for the homeless
to give them a better life, good food to I want a lovely wife who loves the Lord God
eat, nice clothes to wear (with some good first.
shoes), and a place where they can go to
church to hear the Word of God. I would I would like to go to Detroit.
like to give them a place where they can eat

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[RESPONSES]

WRITING
WORKSHOP
What’s the story in this painting?

LIFESTYLE OF TERROR NO WITNESSES
This reminds me of the nightlife. Little First of all, the guy next to the girl knows the
did I know, a sneak out the window to the server and, with three taps from his hand on
nightclub would end up a shipwreck. I the counter, he knows what he wants. The
wanted to grow up fast. The nightlife was a server already knows to mix Kahlua in the
lifestyle of terror. God had his hand on me. man’s coffee. It’s something they’ve been
I’m so glad God still hears a sinner’s prayer doing for years. Then the man begins to
while rape, drugs, prostitution, money, were engage in conversation with the lady. Then,
on the agenda. out of nowhere, she stands up, pulls out a
Now I minister to club-goers today that .45 from her pocket and shoots down the
there is hope after dope. I was a bathroom bartender and then her new acquaintance.
attendant at one of Charlotte’s Uptown For no reason, except to leave no witnesses,
clubs last year. I then realized that I had she shoots the innocent guy at the other end
been delivered so that I could empower of the bar.
the young ladies to be all they can be. —Mike Kendrick
—Kimberly Morris

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“Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper, 1942
(used via Public Domain License)

WHAT HEAVY WEIGHT?
The couple across the bar stared over at a shadowy imprisonment. What was this
the single man occupying a chair in a row man’s story, and where did he come from?
of otherwise empty ones. Lights glinted What long, dark road brought him here to
from above reflecting off the marble bar that particular bar stool on that particular
top, illuminating a face haggard and worn. day? What heavy weight did he bear upon
In his eyes, you could see the fear and those hunched and shrunken shoulders?
desperation so clearly that, if you weren’t Where was he going? What was his story?
careful, it would draw you into a bottomless —Troy Burtnick
abyss. Yes, this man looked like he was on
the run from someone or something. He
wore a trench coat with his collar pulled
up. That, coupled with his cheap and ratty
hat, gave you the impression that it wasn’t
even a human face staring at you but
rather a leering skull, hellbent on escaping

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[THOUGHTS]
I NEED TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST

By Ruth Hsieh

When I planted a tomato seed in the potted When I was sitting at the café table of
soil, I knew it would one day produce an the Harris Teeter, I was eating eight piec-
abundance of fruit in the garden. es of baked chicken. Someone stopped
I believe that I used to be a careless and asked, “Are you really that hungry?”
driver on the streets. It was Tuesday afternoon. I had finished
Actors and actresses seem to live very the Writing Workshop at Speak Up. I was
interesting lives. very hungry. I caught the bus to Harris
Everyone has a moment in their life Teeter on Central Avenue. I ordered eight
when they feel relief. Today, when I com- pieces of baked chicken in a box. The taste
pleted my computer class, I felt relief. of the chicken with herbs and spices was
There are a lot of things that I need to very savory. As I was sitting there at the
be thankful for in this life. café table enjoying my chicken, a custom-
They have no idea what childbearing is er walked by me and sarcastically said, “I
all about. can’t believe you can eat all that chicken.” I
Harry has always been very patient felt as if she was implying that I was being
during Writing Workshops. selfish. I didn’t immediately take offense
Church in the City Women’s Shelter to her comment, but then she said, “Are
has a big bookshelf that has Bibles from you really that hungry?”
all over the world.
Jesus said, “I bring you peace that the Anyway, I need to exercise more on a
world cannot offer.” daily basis.

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[UPWARDLY MOBILE]
THANKFUL, LOOKING, HOPING

By Edward Smalls

Thankful
I am thankful for God giving me good health.
I am thankful for Speak Up Magazine because it keeps me housed and fed,
and I meet a lot of good people every day.
Looking
I am looking forward to getting another job and apartment.
I am looking forward to having a better life than I did in the past.
I had a very bad time in my past. Speak Up inspires me very much.
Hoping
I am hoping for a job and housing that I will never lose,
and that I will live happy and prosperous for the rest of my life.

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[FACING FORWARD]
WATCH YOUR BACK

By Laurie Koelsch

It was a late summer night. I had just after you trying to rape you with a knife
climbed into bed in the back of the van. My in hand or they end up beating you for
soulmate had just seen a young man walk no reason at all. Some of the women that
up and started opening my door. I had a drink a lot as well will turn around and
very uneasy feeling go right through me. I beat on each other.
had always felt safe at night being parked Then we have to watch out for the
in a church parking lot. Now, since this has people who are not homeless…the
happened, I always make sure the doors are younger kids in gangs turn around and
locked before going to sleep. Whenever my throw stones at us for being in their
soulmate is out looking for cans, I lock the territory, for sleeping under the bridges or
doors sitting in bed waiting for his return. on the street. They think this is all fun and
There is so much that can happen to a games. We are the victims on the streets,
person at night or during the day, it is not not the people who have homes. We have
safe for a woman to be by herself on the to watch out for them attacking us.
street. You can’t always trust everyone you I am a homeless woman, and I could
meet or know. Being alone makes you feel not make it on my own on the street in the
vulnerable and scared around strangers on fear that someone would come up behind
the street. and attack me. I get very uncomfortable
Being a woman, homeless on the street, when a drunken man from another city
we take our chances. There are times you asks me for directions. A small town this
would have your friends say they will size should not have people like us women
watch your back while sleeping under scared of being violated like they do in the
the bridges. Then one of your “friends” bigger cities.
ends up drinking too much and comes

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[ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCE]
LISTS RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS

8 WAYS TO HELP THE HOMELESS
by Earleen Mingo

1. Start by talking and getting to know
them.
2. Ask them if they are hungry.
3. Ask them if they want to bathe.
4. Ask if they have somewhere to stay the
night.
5. Ask if they have a change of clothes.
6. Ask if they would like a job at Speak
Up. If yes, give them information or a
“Job Opportunity” card.
7. Ask if they need to see a doctor to get
checked out.
8. If they have no money or food, ask if
you can buy them a sandwich.

HOW TO TALK TO A HOMELESS PERSON
by Kimberly Morris

1. When you speak to a person who is
homeless, approach them with genuine
compassion, respect, and sacrificial
love.
2. Be a good listener.
3. A humble attitude is a must.
4. Be a friend.
5. Stay away from the solution-solving
mode while they figure it out for
themselves.
6. Never tell them what they need to do.
7. Ask for permission to share your story.
8. Keep it simple.
9. Empower, encourage, motivate them to
have the courage to be themselves.
10. Do it for Jesus.

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[STORY]
WHAT GIVES ME STRENGTH

If you believe you can do I am learning to put trust and
something, work as hard as faith in God and let Him handle it.
you can and maintain a positive —Tawanna
outlook, anything can happen.

—Sean

With the help of God and my
friends, I came out of my valley
of sorrow and I claimed strength
Being a street musician and I never knew I had. With that
following my passion gives strength, I have pulled through
me strength. some hard times.

—Mike —Coty

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The job at Speak Up gives me
strength. It helps me and
I don’t feel alone.
—Earleen Tomorrow makes all our
yesterdays and todays worth
the struggle.

—Randy

I know there is a God and I pray
to Him. I know He holds me in His
hands and takes care of me. I have
seen that as my relationship with
God has grown, my circumstances Without God,
have gotten get better. I could not make it.

—Sheila —Ruth

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[JOSHUA CALDWELL]
GET READY GET READY GET READY

By Joshua Caldwell

When I was 18 years old, my birthday wish I can see the best, I can be the best, I’m
was that I could have a job, a volunteer thinking about the best, and I’m going to
position, and a girlfriend. My birthday wish be the best in the world. Just like my Dad
came true, at least partly anyway. I have a and my brother. Just like they said, like fa-
job and a volunteer position. (I don’t have ther, like son.
a girlfriend.) Last Sunday, I went to Elevation
I work for Speak Up and I volunteer Church and felt the Holy Spirit around
for The King’s Kitchen, and I love it. Then me. The pastor preached about the eyes of
when I became 23 years old, I wanted to a lion. I believe what he was saying too. I
have another job. And I got another job. I looked at myself in a mirror, and I have
work for The King’s Kitchen now too! My the eyes of a lion and I have a face of a lion
wish was to have two jobs. Now I’ve got too. Because a lion is a beast.
that. Another time when I was at church,
I’m never going to give up. I’m never everybody and my pastor said I look like
going to quit. I always wanted to have two T.D. Jakes, because T.D. looks like me.
jobs. I would be a rich man. Just like my And then, I started to watch T.D. Jakes ev-
Dad and my brother. But still, my wish is ery night and I told my pastor what I’ve
that I can have a girlfriend in my life and learned from him. In the future, I’ll be
I can be happiest man in the world, and I a pastor of my church. This is what T.D.
can do this for my Dad and my brother. Jakes said: Get ready, get ready, get ready!!

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[FAMILY]
THE COST OF CARING

By Earleen Mingo

About Earleen: I am 50 years old. I thank It was my turn to take care of her. So I did
God everyday that I don’t look my age. I what I had to do as a daughter.
try to do what is best for Earleen. All my So anyone out there who has someone
life, I have had the best of everything. I did in their family that is sick, do not turn
not want for anything. I was in a very good away. They will not last in a nursing home.
environment. My mother was and still is a Do not let anyone [else] take care of them
good mother. She had ten kids and [cared because it is not going to work. Show
for] some of my aunt’s kids. She was the best. them love and give them the strength to
She worked in ten feet of snow—any kind go on. They will last. If you don’t, they give
of work my mother could find, she did it. up and die.
Work was all she knew. She did not depend I lost everything: my car, house,
on anyone but God and herself. clothes, everything, but it was worth
Mother did not let us want for anything. it. My mother still lives, and I am very
She is 87 years old now, and she is a very proud of myself because I did what I was
strong lady. I learned a lot of things from supposed to do. Now God will be with me,
her. She was always very clean. We were and I will receive my blessing. No matter
raised to be just that. She always made a what happens, I am blessed. So don’t give
way, so that’s what I am trying to do for up on your dad, mom, brother, grandma,
myself. I kept my mom for 15 years, and whoever. Take the time to take care of
then my sister came and took over. I could them. It is not easy. Take care of your
not get any help with my mom. I found loved one.
out she has Alzheimer’s disease. It hurt Now I am trying to get back on my
me so much because I knew it would be feet. Seems like I have been in this hole for
a long and very hard process. But I did it, the longest time, but it will pay off. With
and now my sister is doing it. But she has God’s help, your help, somebody’s help, I
help. It is a big difference when you have will make it. I believe that. So I am still
help. It is not easy, but I was not going to trying, and I am not going to give up on
put my mom in a home. No way. She was myself or life.
so good to me. She did not deserve that.

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[WE OF THE SIDEWALKS]
WE HEAR THINGS

By Randy Parcher

We hear things that many will never hear or and she told me she had been raped by the
know anything about. We of the sidewalks person she had looked to keep her safe.
hear about children throwing stones at those We talked for a while, and as she started
living on the street. We hear about teens to leave, she said, “You are one of the good
fighting the homeless over places that their ones.” You are one of the good ones. What
gang has claimed or beating the homeless a laugh. I don’t know how to help or what
just for kicks. In the asphalt jungle, we hear to say. Guess just having someone to tell
about abuse and rapes that go unreported her story to was enough for her to go on.
because the victim is homeless—not in As I watched her walk away, I felt small
some faraway city, but right here in this and sad that she would not see justice for
town. Many homeless women hook up with what was done to her. It is a sad part of the
a man looking to feel safe from the dangers world we live in that bad things happen
of the world only to end up being raped, to good people just because they have
abused, or worse…sold for drugs or money nowhere safe to sleep. This is not the first
by the one that they looked to for safety, time I’ve heard this story. The faces and
being traded like livestock. names change, but the story repeats. What
A woman I know was sitting on a step price do we place on having a feeling of
not so long ago, softly crying and looking being safe?
forlorn. Her eye was blackened and her
arms were bruised. I asked if she was okay,

Page 23

[TRUTH]
BEFORE THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM

By Rick Emery

Before the death of Abraham, I had been on the edge. I was not
in a good mood on a daily basis.

It really bothers me when people always want to know where I
stay. I don’t like to tell because

I am uncomfortable with the way things are.

This is the last thing I am going to say: I don’t feel good about
myself. I think that Abraham probably felt like me.