Red Light
A moment in time.11 total reviews
Comment from Allezw2
Top rating really isn't enough to consider this posting and its import. Once California had a system of state hospitals what cared for these unfortunates. Few remember that good-feeling-Irishman who would give you the shirt of his back, Ronald Reagan. Or, his scorched earth attitude toward budgetary excesses thereby ending unnecessary (in his mind and the supportive electorate's) expenditures. Smaller government, union-busting, lower taxes, cutting off the nation's finest university and state colleges from mandatory funding were the hallmarks of this state's decline in social aid.
Few remember his cost-cutting moves to change from domiciliary care for the mentally ill to outpatient care. The theory was simple enough. Look at the money to be saved by closing the state's mental hospitals. Those in need could get their medications from pharmacies when needed.
Except, he overlooked the fact that these individuals with nowhere else to go lived on the streets where it was easier to find various drugs and alcohol than the medications prescribed.
Far more satisfying, too.
Few individuals have the personal resources to fund relief for the tens of thousands who find refuge in overpasses and live in a fog of illicit drug and alcohol dependency.
Sadly, they are too often deceitful in their appeals for assistance. An individual's random act of kindness is only temporary in its impact on these blighted lives.
Clinton once wrote about the merits of universal community care for its children.
There are others of God's children needful, too. AND their needs require a concerted and focused community to alleviate. We need to care for the unfortunate as a nation. The sporadic offerings of kind-hearted individuals are not a solution. Live long and write TRUE, Fantasist
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2023
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Top rating really isn't enough to consider this posting and its import. Once California had a system of state hospitals what cared for these unfortunates. Few remember that good-feeling-Irishman who would give you the shirt of his back, Ronald Reagan. Or, his scorched earth attitude toward budgetary excesses thereby ending unnecessary (in his mind and the supportive electorate's) expenditures. Smaller government, union-busting, lower taxes, cutting off the nation's finest university and state colleges from mandatory funding were the hallmarks of this state's decline in social aid.
Few remember his cost-cutting moves to change from domiciliary care for the mentally ill to outpatient care. The theory was simple enough. Look at the money to be saved by closing the state's mental hospitals. Those in need could get their medications from pharmacies when needed.
Except, he overlooked the fact that these individuals with nowhere else to go lived on the streets where it was easier to find various drugs and alcohol than the medications prescribed.
Far more satisfying, too.
Few individuals have the personal resources to fund relief for the tens of thousands who find refuge in overpasses and live in a fog of illicit drug and alcohol dependency.
Sadly, they are too often deceitful in their appeals for assistance. An individual's random act of kindness is only temporary in its impact on these blighted lives.
Clinton once wrote about the merits of universal community care for its children.
There are others of God's children needful, too. AND their needs require a concerted and focused community to alleviate. We need to care for the unfortunate as a nation. The sporadic offerings of kind-hearted individuals are not a solution. Live long and write TRUE, Fantasist
Comment Written 06-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2023
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Once again you have seen beyond the words. I grew up in North Long Beach near the State Mental Hospital in Norwalk. As a child I dared not look at the gated brooding facility. Little did I know decades later the affected would be living beneath beneath freeway overpasses and such.
Comment from Susan Newell
Yard,
This is well written and very perceptive about thise moments in time that come and go. I like the imagery of the stop light as a metaphor for how long our concern remains for those who need it all the time. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount of need and the paucity of true, caring aid. I guess it's always been that way, but it seems pretty bad right now.
Sue
P.S. hope tou are better. Nice new pic!
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Yard,
This is well written and very perceptive about thise moments in time that come and go. I like the imagery of the stop light as a metaphor for how long our concern remains for those who need it all the time. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount of need and the paucity of true, caring aid. I guess it's always been that way, but it seems pretty bad right now.
Sue
P.S. hope tou are better. Nice new pic!
Comment Written 03-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Thank you for the compliment, Sue. It was a good camera day.
I am feeling much better but still lack the energy from before. From what I understand the sense of malaise is common with Covid.
Glad you caught the metaphor of the stop light at the intersection of hope and despair. Regardless our station in life it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing.
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You are very welcome. I hope you are up to snuff soon!
Comment from Ulla
Yeah, it makes us take a step back realising how fortunate new are. We may not have much, but at least we don't have to beg. A poem that made me think. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Yeah, it makes us take a step back realising how fortunate new are. We may not have much, but at least we don't have to beg. A poem that made me think. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 01-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Ulla. Regardless our station in life it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing.
Comment from Ric Myworld
You've just brought back to mind something that happened to me a couple weeks back. Grabbing a couple things from the grocery and some spackle from Home Depot, my neighbor asked to ride along. Exiting the Depot a young Latin looking lady had a sign "Need food." I pulled up and handed her $10. Leaving the grocery, a man's sign said, "Vet on hard times, Help, please." I pulled up and handed him $10. My neighbor scolded me saying, "Damn your a big sucker, they're probably making more money than you." I replied. "Who cares, George. I'm not doing it for them. I'm doing it for me. Atoning for past sins. And the best part is: if they are hungry, they'll eat. If they are scammers, it's on their conscience now, not mine." Thanks for sharing. Glad you've licked the Covid beast and are feeling better!
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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You've just brought back to mind something that happened to me a couple weeks back. Grabbing a couple things from the grocery and some spackle from Home Depot, my neighbor asked to ride along. Exiting the Depot a young Latin looking lady had a sign "Need food." I pulled up and handed her $10. Leaving the grocery, a man's sign said, "Vet on hard times, Help, please." I pulled up and handed him $10. My neighbor scolded me saying, "Damn your a big sucker, they're probably making more money than you." I replied. "Who cares, George. I'm not doing it for them. I'm doing it for me. Atoning for past sins. And the best part is: if they are hungry, they'll eat. If they are scammers, it's on their conscience now, not mine." Thanks for sharing. Glad you've licked the Covid beast and are feeling better!
Comment Written 01-Jul-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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I am feeling much better but still lack the energy from before. From what I understand the sense of malaise is common with Covid.
Glad you caught the wisdom of the stop light at the intersection of hope and despair. Regardless our station in life it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing. Tis better to care and share.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
I like this poem; I understand the need that the man has. Sometimes life takes everything without giving us back our sense of self. Sometimes we just have to know that we are alive, and someone sees us.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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I like this poem; I understand the need that the man has. Sometimes life takes everything without giving us back our sense of self. Sometimes we just have to know that we are alive, and someone sees us.
Comment Written 30-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Carol. Glad you caught the wisdom of the stop light at the intersection of hope and despair. Regardless our station in life it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing. Tis better to care and share.
Comment from LJbutterfly
One afternoon while driving, I stopped at a red light and spotted a young woman standing alone with a sign. Our eyes met. I tried to look away but couldn't. I had a five dollar bill lying on my seat and called her over and gave it to her. Several men quickly came from all around with their hands out, asking for money. You expressed my thoughts exactly, "This light can't change soon enough." We've all experienced being grateful that we have been blessed to be able to give, rather than needing to receive.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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One afternoon while driving, I stopped at a red light and spotted a young woman standing alone with a sign. Our eyes met. I tried to look away but couldn't. I had a five dollar bill lying on my seat and called her over and gave it to her. Several men quickly came from all around with their hands out, asking for money. You expressed my thoughts exactly, "This light can't change soon enough." We've all experienced being grateful that we have been blessed to be able to give, rather than needing to receive.
Comment Written 30-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Thank you, LJ for your compassion. Glad you caught the wisdom of the stop light at the intersection of hope and despair. Regardless our station in life it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing. Tis better to care and share.
Comment from karenina
Hey, you! It's been a minute...
Love this poem.
We've all been there, I think, dodging our eyes, trying to escape our conscience.
Funny story? (Or God's nudge)
The other day I was idling at the light and the man standing there with his sign just pulled at my heart.
"Lost and Alone Vietnam Vet"
I tried to "dodge", but my hand fingered through my wallet-- I knew I had a five and a twenty.
(I needed the twenty to pick up a prescription)
Without thinking, purely on instinct, I rolled down my window and called him over, pressing the five dollars into his hand...
"God Bless You!" He said.
I felt--better. Unselfish. Blessed. Embarrassed I'd not given a cent so many times...
The light turned and I had to rev up to quiet the beeps already beginning.
Five minutes later I walked into CVS, to pick up my insulin.
Ooops.
I'd handed him the twenty.
(Did he not deserve that and MORE?)
I stumbled my way through a brief explanation as I backed away from the pharmacist.
As I was exiting the store a man came up to me, handed me my insulin, paid in full -- the pharmacist right behind him authorized the "hand-off."
My benefactor said: "I'm a Vet ~ Thanks for what you did."
True story!
And now I read your poem.
"This intersection of haves and not
It's the way it's always been."
Guess what?
Even a small gesture makes ripples in the pond!
Karenina
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2022
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Hey, you! It's been a minute...
Love this poem.
We've all been there, I think, dodging our eyes, trying to escape our conscience.
Funny story? (Or God's nudge)
The other day I was idling at the light and the man standing there with his sign just pulled at my heart.
"Lost and Alone Vietnam Vet"
I tried to "dodge", but my hand fingered through my wallet-- I knew I had a five and a twenty.
(I needed the twenty to pick up a prescription)
Without thinking, purely on instinct, I rolled down my window and called him over, pressing the five dollars into his hand...
"God Bless You!" He said.
I felt--better. Unselfish. Blessed. Embarrassed I'd not given a cent so many times...
The light turned and I had to rev up to quiet the beeps already beginning.
Five minutes later I walked into CVS, to pick up my insulin.
Ooops.
I'd handed him the twenty.
(Did he not deserve that and MORE?)
I stumbled my way through a brief explanation as I backed away from the pharmacist.
As I was exiting the store a man came up to me, handed me my insulin, paid in full -- the pharmacist right behind him authorized the "hand-off."
My benefactor said: "I'm a Vet ~ Thanks for what you did."
True story!
And now I read your poem.
"This intersection of haves and not
It's the way it's always been."
Guess what?
Even a small gesture makes ripples in the pond!
Karenina
Comment Written 30-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 30-Jun-2022
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Yes, Karenina, it has been a minute. I?ve been sicker than a dog that ate a dead cat. I?m on the tail end of the Covid cloud that put me down. I?ve spent the last month in a fog and mostly sleeping my life away. I?ve had little desire to write, yet a growing sense of guilt keeps knocking at the door of creativity. My energy is slowly returning with ideas swimming in my head like cabbage soup.
(Red Light) was crafted from fever. Don?t worry, it may appear morose but it?s just a snapshot of the human condition.
Your interaction with the both veterans and a pharmacist was truly a wonderful God moment. I believe those moments are rare yet so powerful as to balance out 'reality' once again. Truly, you have been blessed!
Yard.
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Oh no! Sorry to hear about this. I've done covid X's 2 now-- I'm not out for the magic hat-trick. I know the brain fog and exhaustion--even now I have days I'm slogging through! Just so glad to see you posting again... Take care of yourself! Listen to your body! --Karenina
Comment from royowen
Oh yes, the haves and the have nots have always been, why? I'm not sure. I believe God gave enough provision for men, women and children, but somehow God knew the rich wouldn't really share with the poor. This is compassionate
Y and with candour written, great post, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Oh yes, the haves and the have nots have always been, why? I'm not sure. I believe God gave enough provision for men, women and children, but somehow God knew the rich wouldn't really share with the poor. This is compassionate
Y and with candour written, great post, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 30-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Roy. Glad you caught the wisdom of the stop light at the intersection of hope and despair. Regardless our station in life it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing. Tis better to care and share.
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Well done
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this poem with us. It's very well written for a nervous moment. It makes a strong statement about society. I wonder how many have ignored people in need. I bet a lot. God would not want us to do that.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Thank you for sharing this poem with us. It's very well written for a nervous moment. It makes a strong statement about society. I wonder how many have ignored people in need. I bet a lot. God would not want us to do that.
Comment Written 30-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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So true, Barbara. Glad you caught the wisdom of the stop light at the intersection of hope and despair. Regardless our station in life it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing. Tis better to care and share.
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I hope you're feeling better. You remain in my prayers.
Comment from Fleedleflump
You do a great job of raising tension through this piece, giving us that sensation of things balancing on a knife edge, as indeed they do more often in life than we probably like to admit.
Mike
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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You do a great job of raising tension through this piece, giving us that sensation of things balancing on a knife edge, as indeed they do more often in life than we probably like to admit.
Mike
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 30-Jun-2022
reply by the author on 08-Jul-2022
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Thank you, Mike. Glad you caught the wisdom of the stop light at the intersection of hope and despair. Regardless our station in life, it is uncomfortable to be forced to examine our standing. Tis better to care and share.
