For many,its' not a choice

Started out by the senators offices again. I can always find someone new here. Almost like setting up a barrel with hundreds of fish in it.
By this time on a beautiful fall morning it was warming up nicely, but this man was still bundled up shaking from the cold night. I sat next to him and tried to get him to speak. Asked all the usual questions, and got" no comprender",
Then I said, wish I had ten bucks to throw your way, should have seen how fast he spoke English. I continued on.

When out in the streets one must keep in mind at all times, how he  is being viewed by those who live here. All sorts of head games are played by very crafty individuals out here. I dress to fit in, bring as little notice to myself as possible, the camera I use is decent but inexpensive. Even a throw away camera would make me a target to the not so honorable. When my instincts kick in, and I feel I may be getting sized up, I make sure they notice the heavy hard walking stick I have made, and how well I handle it. I also try to show some empathy. Some of the alcoholics and junkies have done it to themselves, true, no arguing.

 




 But once their particular drug of choice takes hold, the rest of us only see an alternate versions of the "Walking Dead". Many if they survive, become disconnected.....from everything.............
Family if any left willing to deal with them, society in general, what you may call reality. For some they remain on the streets by choice, others....???? Who are real, who are scamming.
Not for me to judge, only to document, and share. I do know ,from the numbers out here,
many of them vets, that society has a problem, not being addressed by those who represent us.

The two shots of the man with the patch were taken as he approached me from the next block. When he seen he was my subject he came straight to me, saying" I'm eyeing you too." I told him why and he became quite affable. Mitch, gave direct answers to my questions. Yes, booze is why he ended up here for six or so years. Has fought it most of his life . Has worked, has no military. As we talked this couple were going by when they did a double take. Mitch introduced  Peanut and Melanie, who are proud occupants of a real apartment in Chicopee these days. They use to run in Mitch's' circle when they were on the streets. They gave their condolences to my host, on a loss of a companion that was part of their group, then they gave me their story. He was out here because of bad situations, no military or real skills a slight handicap, for a few years. She was a rebellious young girl in Buffalo, tossed out by parents, wandered out here, met Peanut, wandered for almost three years.  They are real proud of how far they've come. Mel is working and with a little help, was able to secure a apartment they can sustain.

Best of wish's were exchanged, we parted ways.
Pointing my lens across the street, barley make out a figure sitting on the curb.

Daniel, 6 years out here. Served in the Marines in the South Pacific. Worked the American Dream at Waste Management,
married one day, the next, wife dies of cancer, gets laid off, bills are huge, benefits ran out, on top of that brother and sister passed within a few months of each other. He was the oldest, that wasn't how it supposed to be. No drink or drugs, plenty of grief, in my opinion, unrequited, with no help from Uncle Sam. Was lucky enough to get into Taylor St shelter for winter. Won't go near Worthington St shelter. Doesn't like the clientele there.   

He points to these doors, "they give me work when they can, that's' the most anyone has helped". Indicating a women who came up behind me he said talk to her, so I did. Tina, out here because of drink, has no plans on stopping, likes it out here, has worked 56 jobs in her life. Just repeating what I'm told. Has a son in Westfield State 

Going to be late for a doctors appointment, so I gotta run , come back in a few days.

Beginning at MickyD's in the south end, Walter becomes the first victim of my inquiries today. 56, Navy ,Aviation Support. Did drink and drugs 25+ years ago. 9/23/79 he was a hit and run casualty  on Suffield St. Stuck with all those bills for life. He has worked as a millwright for many years , Allston Local #1121. Been out of work since April 2013, nothing coming in, 7 months behind on mortgage , nothing running at his place in Agawam, he leaves at 5am to walk across the river for 7:30, Bliss street breakfast. Spends the rest of the day walking a beat of open pantries. He knows he will return to his home someday soon and find it padlocked but for now he is thankful to his deity that he has a." heartbeat and can walk ". Walt pulls out his wallet, shows me his union card and a insurance card, puts them back in his wallet. All useless he exclaims. Pulls his cap off to show the scars on his scalp from the hit and run. All benefits exhausted, can't pay dues or premiums,let alone co-pays.

Points to the carriage saying it won't be long.
What can I say to this man.
Wish him well ,thank him, walk off in thought.

   



Two Hours till lunch, line starts early .

Approaching the bus terminal I spy Roger, who I met a few weeks back at the senators office.

When asked what happened he said he was hiding his cans and got jumped. He didn't want to dwell on it and moved on.

walked home along bikeway

this is not thrash

a riverfront apartment

well concealed

Quick check under North End Bridge
            still there

climbed down and up on my butt
no elevator

 Noticed the roof  may be giving these tenants trouble.
 Noticed also I am not as limber as I once was.
After this last trek, my only thought is to get these pegs raised. Hobble across the bridge to my bus stop and home.
So far I am still lucky.