Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than for December 16, 2024

If only it were that easy for everyone.

“I looked through others’ windows

On an enchanted earth

But out of my own window—

solitude and dearth.

And yet there is a mystery

I cannot understand—

That others through my window

See an enchanted land.” ― Jessie B. Rittenhouse Born: December 8, 1869 She Died: September 28, 1948 Occupation: Literary critic

The strips poem is from “The moving tide: new and selected lyrics and also “The Door of Dreams”

Raise the bar. You deserve it.

I love this poem.

I am someone who helps the homeless. I have seen this story over and over, yet every now and then someone will come back to a homeless encampment see us passing out food, water, and clothing, and say “I want to let you know, I have my own place, I start a job on Monday, and I’ve been clean for 3 months.” When that happens the Angels Sing, it makes everything we’ve done worth while. Miracles do happen. Merry Christmas everyone.

I love this.

This poem suggests it’s your fault if you are homeless. But there is just not enough housing stock nationwide. We are all playing musical chairs. Someone is houseless when the music stops.