stability

rock solid
presence
connection to
place

a structure for eating
and sleeping
and working
hosting friends
hosting loved ones
sharing the joy

a house
a home
a place to belong

there were times
when stability
had to come
from within

when belonging
was scattered
like leaves
in the wind

I cry for the homeless
hunters and gatherers
of this age
temporary shelters
by train tracks
or freeways
fighting the systems
that want them
away

we “settlers”
build fences and fearing
the difference in lifestyle
losing sight of
what’s there

humans
who scare us
their vulnerability
clear

I have friends
getting by
through house-sits
and couches
stability missing
I know what it’s like

even with resources
and degrees
my immigrant lifestyle
has been scattered
and lacking
a rock solid
presence
connection to
place

creating results
while striving
for shelter is hard
no bootstraps
or self blame
will likely succeed

for me
or
the homeless
who suffer
injustice
inequality
built into our systems

no stability
all quicksand
where do we begin
to build up a structure
where we all can
fit in