"These fine men and women who come here..." : Poem by Anneliese Schultz, image by Lad Strayer

Shelter

Scoured by what some might call sin
(we won’t because there is
no malice aforethought,
only hard rows to hoe,
love lost, and
a society that invites escape),
these fine men and women
who come here for food,
who silently accept shelter,
are so easy to break bread with –
Thankful
Attentive
Seeking new stories to
exchange for their own
Sometimes without words,
sometimes blessing the meal before them
Always present to this place,
to the good news of a
warm blanket,
a pillow with their name on it,
to the joy they afford you
at being able to give.

                                                        Anneliese Schultz 

                      Image from the exhibit "Daily Bread" by Lad Strayer