You in the doorways and streets

hugging concrete and dog for warmth,

you who cry out for love and acceptance

seeking family from sidewalks.

You are the brave, leaving abuse behind.

Pause in this time and place

to catch your breath.

You shiver, ocean breezes flow

through the city,

rip through thinned clothing.

Look, we shiver too, silently,

some with houses warm

afraid to leave, teach us courage

to reject control and be of single mind.

You are our living golden rule,

smashed, because of want and greed,

you rankle some who cross your path.

A conscience flash?

As morals fade

old values leave.

Move over, please.

Fall colour captured at the entrance to Coal Harbour (Vancouver, B.C.).

As promised, I wanted to share a beautiful and powerful poem written by my mother, Shirley Ross, many years ago when she resided in Victoria on Vancouver Island, B.C.

As mentioned in…