Living in dreams

Nestled in a meadow surrounded by a thicket of trees and brush. Hiding-- Lives a man in a tent, that by no means is a threat to anyone. But “the town” and his “family” see him as a nuisance and a burden. He doesn’t own anything – homeless and very poor, living on handouts from strangers, yet this man “lives”. Lives to see each sunrise and to feel the warmth of the sun warm his cold body.He lives in his own little meadow in his dreams. He dreams of being a carpenter or a chef. He dreams of his children and x-life. 1

He longs to have someone – anyone love him, to help him, to save him. But does anyone truly see that a homeless man is human? Worn-out clothes. Shoes falling off his dirty feet. Chapped and bleeding from the mud and the wind. Hunger consuming his life force and thoughts. He prays for death, maybe even a sturdy tree limb and rope. But something in him tells him to live - as - he - cries. to keep trying to put his life back on track. Alcohol and drugs are all he has known for years. Hooked - overshadowing - intense desire for more. Stealing to live - - Begging on the streets. He seems to be like a little bird that is injured. But still able to fly low to the ground. 2

When will my brother “want” to be helped? When will my brother “fly high in the sky”? If we have compassion enough to help a small bird fly high. Why is it that we don’t have compassion enough to help our own brothers?3

When will my brother be my brother again?