Tuesday 13 September 2011

"The Bench "

As she lay in her torn clothes her taughts ran through her head of the times when life wasnt so bad . She managed to get up and be able to look at herself in the mirror without feeling shame or guilt . Racing taughts were her new way of life and siting on her own was also nothing new who would want to be seen next to me she taught to herself . The bench she once used to share with workmates was now her sleeping place . She would stare at the window of the building of which she once worked with happy taughts and then like a bang to her head the reality would hit her . But no matter what had been taking from her she still got to hold on to her memories . Life at night time was so harsh and cruel especially when you would see people take their animals indoors and poor Katy as lying in the dewy grass by morning she would be shaken like a rattle her bones would feel as tough they had been drained of every bit of blood . No feeling in her hands feet or face but still her memories . How did it all come to this she taught ? There she was looking in the bins before others had woken up to do there shoping work etc , picking what she could to fill the hole of hunger in her belly . But nothing could fill it was always empty . Back to her bench she would go and sit and look again at this wonderful building and dreamt of work . People would walk by her and stare like she didnt have any right to be there , but she knew in her head she had as much right as anyone and didnt need to proove herself as she had walked in their shoes before . She taught one day this could be them at least i know both sides now and now i can say i have lived it both ways .  Kathy came across mnay an interesting character along her cold and long days on the street and would learn the tricks on how to survive very quickly indeed . Back to her bench she went and one of the girls that worked with her went by looked with a judgemental eye at her and said you people dont belong around here move on somewhere else before i have you moved . She didnt recongnise Kathy in her dirty state and face drawn look. This lady droped her journal in her haste to get away as quickly as possible and as any one would Kathy atomatically bent over to help her . She shouted leave it alone you "dirty dirty creature ", Kathy was taking back by this responce . She taught god is this how we are treated and looked upon the people i worked with treat me with such hatred . How dare they treat anyone in this manner .
As the weeks passed by Kathys experience had taught her so much about what homeless people were treated like and how people who you taught you knew actually dont know enough about the real world , paper pushers who needed to be given some a reality check . So as monday morning came Kathy woke ip in her own bed and washed herself in a shower but treated the bar of soap as if it were gold this was her new luxury . With her hair done and suit on Kathy was on her way back to the office no exspecting her back for several weeks thinking she was away on a sking holiday , couldnt be further from the truth Kathy was in the snow alright  ,on the ground she slept on no fancy holiday.
  
  Kathy arrived in the office and the busy talkative office turned quiet all of a sudden . "Good morning Kathy", echoed in the hallway as she passed by . "So kathy",  said her assistant "did you have a good holiday "? Kathy said plenty of time to talk about that later Sue . She stood in the middle of everyone i want you all to come to the board room . All eyes were on her whats going on . "Well all be seated please as you all know i was away fo awhile" , all of them smiling yes we know  "so did you have a good time sking there Kathy", joked one the guys ."Well i actually wasnt sking guys and girls i was actually living on the street for a while" . "What" ? "why "? were the echoes of voices  , "whats happening " , "your hardly that broke came another" . "No i am not but i have been viewing you all and how you treat others less fortunate and i have to tell you i am discusted" . The comments that came from you all was unacceptable and i cant believe these are the kind of people i have working for me such shallow behaviour . Do you not all realise this could be any of us some day we can all fall on hard times but dont need to be so mean to others . I have learned and seen so much in my time and the others i have met in my place while out there welcomed me no questions asked and helped me not looking for anything in return . All the faces on them were full of disappointment and fear . Kathy told them that she would be sending them on work placement in centres run for the homeless and less fortuntate to see how hard a day in their lives can be and also would have to spend a night on the street to get the real picture . Not one of them refused as they had been made see how it could happen to anyone and would welcome this new experience to help others . Kathy went on to open up new buildings for the homeless and for anyone whom needed a roof over their head after all whats money if you cant share it . Kathy would be seen as would some of the people who worked for her helping out in the kitchen cleaning washing what ever was needed for some just reassurance and a friendly word . Kathy had her eyes opened to the reality of others and never looked at her life the same again .

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