BACK IN THE DAY

I wasn’t always like this

You wouldn’t look away

if only you could see me

Back in the day

Back in the day I had an office

I had a secretary too

I commanded everyone’s attention

Never guessed it would be through

But then came the Recession

And I heard all of the talk

sitting in my leather chair

There’s no way they’d be telling me to walk

I helped build this corporation

Are you thinking here at all

People run to do my bidding

All I have to do is make a call

Back in the day

I can’t find employment cause I’m over qualified

And what I used to know has quickly up an died

My condo, do you see it?

That building over there

I always took the elevator

Living too high for the stairs

I’d come in from shopping

And eat steak and lobster every night

Now I eat by dumpster diving

Some times I don’t eat at all if I’m to weak to fight

Everything I have is in this cart

I didn’t plan it this way

This wasn’t supposed to be my part

I was somebody …

back in the day

Don’t turn your head

I have feelings

can’t you see the pain

You think I chose to be out here in cold

In never ending rain

Hey mister, do you have some change

I’m hungry and I hurt

I know that you can’t tell it

But I’m a human –not just dirt

Do you think this can't happen to you?

How many people are living one paycheck from foreclosure, eviction? Do you have several months worth of living expenses in liquid assets? If your health or the health of a loved one suddenly ran up medical bills that your insurance would not cover, what would you do? What would happen if there was a horrible mistake on your taxes and the IRS had all of your assets frozen? Where would you go if a natural disaster wiped out your home, your community?

We can't foresee or even prepare for every circumstance of life but we can be much more aware. The economy is going to get a whole lot worse before, and if, it gets better. You could find yourself in situations you never dreamed of - ever - could not happen to you - to your family.

The next time you see a homeless human with their head bent down in shame, sickness, defeat ... pray when that head lifts you don't see your face staring back. If you don't want to give money, give a sandwich, some hot coffee, soup. Speak to the person - say hello, say God Bless you, smile at them. Treat them the way you would want to be treated ...

by Phoenix