Interview with a homeless

(notes)

In your mind, you would help that person on the street

In your mind, you would want to take that person to heaven with you

In reality, youre afraid his curse might infect you and you will keep on driving and will look the other way, guaranteed.

What is wrong, I asked

there is nothing wrong, He answered

(Then he said)

Is it normal to feel like I am the most important person in the world and at the same time I have nothing but my spirit

and I still think I am going to be a millionare

and I still think I am going to heaven

All I need is some idiot b******s to try to stop me and I will push them to hell.

-

Interview with a homeless for my journalism class

Reviews

[wordwarrior]

Well this was definitely thought provoking and I think I am disenchanted generally with people and their selfish ways. I enjoy that unconditional love from animals.
I don't see many homeless people where I live and I guess I am lucky that way. But those I have come across all seem to have the latest mobile phones. Hmmmm makes me wonder.

[SquinklaPsyOps]

Yes, you are right, it does make you wonder, maybe they could be undercovers posing as homeless and they need the latest gadgets in case they witness a crime out on the street.

[wordwarrior]

Maybe! It's just when I see things like that, that don't seem to match up, I do wonder....I think some are there by choice(no idea why) and others genuinely have no home for many reasons.

[Amanda]

Thought provoking and, once I read it a few times, I really felt what you were saying

[BreannaAutumn]

I think this is a very inspiring little story.. Poverty is a state of mine and hopelessness is a choice we all can make. I hope all homeless people feel this way about life and strive for their dreams even though they have nothing but their spirit.. thank you for sharing

[Derek Smith]

this is alright.. didn't spark my interest to be honest. But What I did like is just how real it is

[SquinklaPsyOps]

"In reality, youre afraid his curse might infect you and you will keep on driving and will look the other way, guaranteed."

[Derek Smith]

oh.. lol..

[Shmoke-Sifted Heftlande..]

interacting with the homeless is my fav part of going to the city

[Shane Mohamed]

There is a lot of controversy when it comes to the homeless. Some of them are that why because of some misfortune and some of them are that way because it's an easier way to live through life and they basically count on others to carry them. For instance, I met this drunk in the behavioral health facility that had lost it all because of his drinking. He was getting treated and detoxified, but when he went out he wanted to go to a shelter where he can continue his rehabilitation for six more months. If you ask me, that is a little bit more time you need to get back on the right track. I think he needed somewhere to stay, and this country helps the homeless by providing shelter, and that why it's a great country, but then again I didn't judge him because at that time I didn't have a job myself, so when dealing with the homeless you don't want to get too compassionate nor too harsh.

[Michael G. Smith]

Interesting, I like how your interview taught that homelessness does always mean that the person is poor in spirit. Isn't home where the heart is?

[Angel]

Having volunteered in a homeless shelter, I know that there are many stories, and many different reasons why people are homeless. Many are willing to do whatever it takes to climb back up on their feet. It is a joy to help someone who is trying to help themselves. I have even opened my own home to a few people in need.
Then there are those who blame everybody and everything but themselves. It's hard to help someone with that attitude. To them, you are just another obstacle. I've actually had such people accuse me and the shelter of being "enablers". Go figure, huh?
Then there are a few with absolutely no intention of doing anything about their situation. Why should they, they figure, when they can get themselves a free ride? The working public will pay their way through life, while they take a permanent vacation. So it costs them a bit of pride...small price to pay!
To illustrate, the shelter had a rule that everyone who stayed there had to do one chore to help keep the place clean and livable. Believe it or not, there were people who would rather sleep in the street than sweep a floor or wash a dish! Now, how can you help someone like that?

[Lowesy]

Put clear indications on who is speaking:
Me: What's wrong? (I say 'What's', because 'What is' is WAY to formal and not how someone would generally speak)
Him: Nothing's wrong.
Yeah?
Punctuation also, capital letters, full stops, etc. basic things.
First couple of lines, only need the first one, heaven is pointless to bring up right now. He should bring up heaven, shows he believes and that you haven't pressed it upon him.
Understand what you're trying to do here. I do think that I don't fall into this bracket of the leavers of homeless people. I've spoken to so many about so many different things. They're interesting people with interesting stories to tell. EVERYONE should talk to at least one homeless person in their lifetime. EVERYONE. Puts things in perspective and it's an experience to draw on later.

[bobc]

S...somehow this piece reminded of something Neil Young is reported to have said...'This song [referring to Heart of Gold] put me in the middle of the road. Traveling there soon became a bore so I headed for the ditch. A rougher ride but I saw more interesting people there.'

I guess, the person interviewed was very interesting to me. I, too, get drawn to people like that and want to hear their stories in their own words. Though I can't ever claim I understand them, I think just listening is important.

Thanx for posting this...bobc