Holy

This poem packs a punch. Not only in France but here in the USA too. I came upon your page andI like what you write here, so I will be back to visit you again. And you are so correct these are not holy things to see in any sense of the word. And Sharon Rose nice to meet you. Welcome here. Magics02 Learn to live, learn to forgive. Life is too short.

Yes I walk around the huge courthouse I am forever reminded of all the homeless people around sleepin on the cold sidewalks and nothing to eat,I am ashamed of my country at time, really my city for their richness and towers of homes and the disregard of humans who have nothing. If we could only fix those downtrodden ones that have no one or no home or food. This is a big problem all over, but then we send millions of dollars overseas for this and for that. I do not want to start a holy war here about politics but I do not agree with all of them. Enough said on this one and thanks again Great poem magics02 xxoxoxoox

Amen! ~A "If parents really would love their children there would no longer be any war." J. Krishnamurti

That's the problem. Most of them don't care. And so the squalor continues to grow. Rosina xena465

bernard shaw Cardboard Box. I lived in a cardboard box from April to December, No work, No money, No food, Ah how I well remember. I wandered the busy streets looking for a job or two, How People looked and disdained we the miserable few. I washed dishes, in a busy restaurant it was worth a meal, No one cared or asked but it was forbidden you know to steal. When my work was done I washed and shaved my face, I could not press my tattered suit it was really a disgrace. I walked back to my box with newspapers that I had found, It was a good insulation you know on that hard cold ground. I was not alone others were quite near to me, We all had a box it was the best we could do you see. Many or all were hungry and some suffered from the cold. We were quite well mixed, some young and some really old. How we looked forward to the Salvation Army’s hot soup, It somehow kept us upright no human should have to stoop. Then there came the day when we given some clothes, A charitable organisation gave that what others had disposed. On a cold December’s morning my luck suddenly changed, They admitted me into hospital; they thought that I was disarranged. I was given a nice warm bed and a really good slap up feed, A Lady asked me about my circumstances and what I would need. I said, “I wanted a job any work would do, and of course a room,” A whole week they kept me and watched me push a broom. Then along came a man dressed in a suit of clothes (Quite New). Come along with me he said and I will see what I can do. I have never been out of work since and I have always worked hard. Now I am retired and lead the life of a Bard. © Bernard Shaw

Hello Sharon, Rosina, In those far off days we homeless helped each other. we shared our food what little we had. In our small group there was no alchohol allowed and quarrels were settled with a handshake or a kiss or the offenders had to move on. Newpapers were what kept us warm on the cold winter nights.We all stuffed newpapers inside our clothes even in our trousers and shoes it was the best insulation we had against the cold. When I was admitted into hospital all were wondering why I had so many newspapers wrapped all around me. My thanks goes back to those far off days to the Salvation Army and its helpers or should I say Soldiers they were great. Hot soup a piece of bread did wonders for the hungry among us. Other charities I also thank for the clothes they gave to us. There was no false pride then; we were glad to get a warm coat, a hat even a pair of gloves with holes in them we very much appreciated. So much for the good old days. Keep smiling bern.

What has changed since those days, I would like to think that our Politicians have pulled their collective fingers out but I am afraid this is not so. The so called common ordinary people are the ones that helped when it came down to helping. Ordinary people give every year millions to charity. I cannot prove what I am now going to write but I will chance anyone taking me to court; after all being over eighty does have some advantages. Not all the money given to charity goes to those in need. How many such charities hold banquets and invite the rich to them all have a good meal and of course plenty of champagne but(BUT) WHO pays for these banquets? The public that think they are doing good by giving to the charity organisations, These are the ones that pay for the food and drink and the costs for renting the banquetting hall. Who pays the chairman and other socalled officers of the charity? Why the common or garden man and woman in the street. The really rich only give or should I say mainly give when a lot of advertising is tied in with their business.CHARITIES Prove me wrong!!!Bern somewhat old in the tooth but not daft at least not yet.

One statement that I realy feel the need to correct is: "I can’t believe that so many people don’t have access to healthcare,sometimes life-saving treatment.It just makes no sense..in a land of so many millionaires,people living in abject poverty without basic care." First of all, there is a myth in there, perpetuated by people who feel so deeply about the problem that they miss the reality: No one is ever turned away from a hospital emergency room without treatment -- not even the people who are here illegally (and that's a large part of this country's current problems). Obviously there are many, many homeless people here in the States -- that's how it always has been and how it always will be -- unless we turn a corner and become something other than a free country. As Bern implied: it's not the government that takes care of (or, I add, should take care of) the homeless, it's the community/charity organizations in the individual cities. And charity MUST come from the heart, not government edict. As for those millionaires: When they are forced to part from their money for any cause, except for a fair amount of taxation (that seems to be the implication), the United States stops being the United States.

I agree also the charity begins with each and every person not just few selected ones. It begin in the home to give unto others, to help others not so fortunate as ourselves. Kudos to you Harvey and all. Magics02 Learn to live, learn to forgive. Life is too short.