Joseph has been staying with us at Haywood Street Respite. One of the things he has been working on while here is writing thank you notes to the doctors and nurses who took care of him when he was sick. He is full of gratitude.

Joseph said being in the Emergency Room at Mission Hospital reminded him of this poem he wrote one morning at AHOPE because he sees the doctors and nurses there offer care with an impressive amount of organization and kindness, which must be renewed each day.

Channel Tree News

 The morning announcer chirps loudly,

It’s ‘a new day! It’s a new day!

Day new, day new.

It’s a new day!’

Channel four, the stocks are on the floor!

Chaos and surround sound,

Will we know the difference

When we are in the ground?

Channel five says, I’m still alive.

There is a tree in the garden

Will the water rise again?

How can I know what message to send?

Push the button, mash the button.

There must be something to fill the space,

As I walk along the sidewalk

And take my place.

Channel six says to

Build the house with sticks

But none can I find

From the tree in the garden.

On channel eight, Oh! I skipped seven

Will we know the difference

Between love and hate?

When we get to heaven, Day New!

The poem was inspired by what Joseph described as his own version of the morning news when he sleeps outside:  The birds chirping.