11 Comments
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Karen Kenworthy's avatar

Searing poem. Kudos. I agree, People on the street without a home are not hopeless and should not be seen as beyond help and hope, as too many people regard them.

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Catherine's avatar

Don't get me started on the homeless. They are but a blemish on the Republican landscape.

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Dawn S. White's avatar

What a perfect speech for a shadow part of us ...

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Ken Paul Rosenthal's avatar

This poem perfectly showcases how distinctly visual--how cinematic--Julia's writing is. Which is why I've been so singularly inspired to make a feature documentary about her life and poetic legacy: www.betweenspiritandstonethefilm.com She was truly a Poetic Outlaw. Thanks for the shout out, Eric!

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Daniel Henderson's avatar

"I’ve got your shadow under my fingernails"

This hits in a way I didn't expect. Took me a few minutes before I knew what to make of it. Not exactly a gut punch but definitely something that evokes a flinch. A single line too.

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Lisa B. Martin    zihuawriter's avatar

Crazy good! She's wild and real. I'm a street poet myself...!

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Cynthia's avatar

I remember seeing her around Telegraph Ave in Berkeley with her cart. Sometimes she would be sitting at a cafe. Other times, she would be walking around and dressed exactly the way she did in the mural that she’s in, blowing bubbles. I bought one of her books off of her.

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Luis A. Estable's avatar

Whoever the individual in this, they are people on the street to whom this relate deeply.

The language paints not a pleasant situation at all.

Good read!

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David Picariello's avatar

warm wishes to everyone in this New Year of the Rabbit.

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Caroline Sawyer's avatar

Incredible

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