we didn’t have a lot
my mom and I
a house in a ski town
my snowboard and the mountain
I didn’t know it was the most I’d have
the safest nights
a home and my mother’s care and love
now I call the streets my home
her sickness and her death
the darkness that followed
left me undone
she couldn’t save me
I know she would’ve tried
I just didn’t know how to face the world
alone
so I am a street man
I wave my cardboard sign at you
I found a way of life
I’ll probably never leave
but I will remember when I was more than a stranger
I was a son
*My son, Josh, met this character at a gas station and had a long conversation with him about his life as a professional snowboarder, and his descent into homelessness after his single mother’s death as a young man. She had no money and had put a reverse mortage on her house during her sickness. He now lives on the streets of Denver. Josh had locked his keys in the car and had been stranded for a couple of hours. When I drove up to rescue him I got major props from this man for being a mom coming to the rescue. He waved at me and said ‘Thanks for being a great mom! Josh, make sure you tell your mom thank you and what a great mom she is”. We gave each other the peace sign and I didn’t quite know what to make of all the mom love. I understood why later after Josh told me his story. Be well, snowboarder. RIP snowboarder’s mom.*
*pic taken in the UK this summer by my husband*
Touching. 🙏🏻
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Thank you:)
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Thank you for your beautiful poetry and photos!
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Aw, thanks:)!
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