city rose

the window display couldn't have been fancier. and she could not have been more homeless. that's the five-second impression my mind's camera snapped as we raced across the street to our evening venue.

having

it's true there are no God-forsaken places. but there are church-forsaken places. this fact alone made me appreciate all the more that a well-known spiritual speaker would choose a theater in a sketchy part of portland for his event.

nothing

even waiting for the doors to open we, albeit passively, participated in our environment. "hey good lookin' ladies...you got a debit card?" we were asked, "because i promise that if you give it to me, i will only use as much as i need. how you doin' tonight. gotta cigarette? wow, are you good lookin'!"

yet

but it was the woman wheeled up in front of the window that gave me pause. completely tattered, mismatched, disabled, marginalized. and behind the glass nothing but hearts, gems, flowers, candy.

possessing everything.