Years Of Tears - Part 3

Hard to believe

Three months had past

Since I quit my job

In March 2007.

Struggling

To carry my suitcase

Up the shelter's steps

Even with the aid

Of a close friend.

About to enter

A totally foreign world

Unlike anything

I have seen

Or experienced

Before.

Where control is

Handed over

To the shelter staff

Upon entry.

As the intake process

Starts right away

Filling out various forms

For the city

And the province.

While

All clothing is tossed

Into the next available

Washer.

In the hope

Of preventing

A Bedbug infestation

By the new arrivals.

Almost six years

Have passed

Since that night

It remains etched

Into my memory.

A month long stay

Filled with numerous bouts

Of anxiety attacks.

For me

Being around people

Is draining

Both physically

And emotionally.

Unable to find

A moment of privacy

As the wardrooms

Housed four to eight women

Of various needs.

Running the gauntlet

Of addictions

And mental health concerns

With many left untreated

Due to the complex nature

Of their disease.

Expelling those

Deemed too dangerous

To the staff

And other women.

In the faint hope

Another shelter

Will take them

In.

As my anxiety

Grew worse

Placed an application

With the housing officer

To get my own place.

Hoping

Beyond hope

I would be

Quickly out of there.

Never

In my wildest dreams

Did I think

It would happen.

A place

To call

My own.

No more shelters

For this girl!

Reviews

[.]

~ wow... you inspire me infinitely...

[therisa]

Serah, I am just an ordinary person, caught in extraordinary times. That's all.

[.]

~ well then ordinary is the new special for me... :)

[therisa]

Please don't place me, upon any pedestal. Just human, like you are.

[.]

~ not placing you on a pedestal... just acknowledging your courage and the positive effect it has on me... it's like appreciating a flower or a flutterby... :)

[therisa]

You did know the butterfly is, one of the symbols that the Transcommunity has adopt, as its own?

[.]

~ i didn't know but i know now... :)

[TL Boehm]

YAY! A place of your own!

[therisa]

Thank you, Tammy.