Category: Voices from the Streets
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The Birth of Ar Lain Ta, Part Two
I’m a gatekeeper. My kingdom is a subterranean basement where junkies come to dream about what might have been; what should have been; what could happen if only, if only, if only. Sometimes, I tell the stories and he writes them down. I’m not the only one here who tells the stories. Everyone who comes…
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A Matter of Life and Death
Someone once stopped me from taking my life by telling me his story, and I was encouraged to start giving back. Much has been given to me. I am 66 years old, and I am happy. Eleven years ago I married my soul mate. In January, I retired from a wonderful job I held for…
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A Lost Soul
Last week, I lost someone very close to me. As far as I’m concerned, the streets took her, though she hadn’t been homeless in a while. Some people don’t realize how easily one can end up homeless. it can happen in the blink of an eye. It really doesn’t take much; a bad decision, a…
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The Birth of Ar Lain Ta, Part One
Everyone gets to pay the gatekeeper. In the end we pay with the only currency that we own. The gatekeeper’s desires are simple. All he wants is all we’ve got. They call me the Troll. I’m a gatekeeper of sorts, and I have my own kingdom. Of course, I have to follow the rules too.…
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A Basic Human Right
On January 26, a homeless man was brutally assaulted in Allston, according to a female eyewitness who threw herself in front of the man to protect him. The man, Michael Hudson, was being brutally beaten; one of his attackers was actually slamming his head into the sidewalk. Police arrested two men who grew up together…
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The Love of Nadia Chance, Part Two
Never before in my life have I seen anyone without that indent on the lip. “May I come in and sit? I just need to talk to someone.” I hadn’t realized that Nadia was with me at the door. She reaches out and takes his hand. He almost smiles as she guides him to a…
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Robbing Peter
“Really?” That’s my standard reaction when I hear or see things that are disturbingly stupid these days. It was how I reacted when I found out that Bread and Jams would be closing its doors. For those of you who don’t know about Bread and Jams, it is a drop-in center that has served the…
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The Love of Nadia Chance, Part One
It begins again, the voices of the women singing in the background as the morphine kicks in. I can feel the first wave now. The troll is in the kitchen with Ron de Veux. There is a knock at the door of his subterranean apartment. The evening has been particularly disturbing. I have been nursing…
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Another Fare Increase?!
Once again boys and girls, the MBTA is getting ready to fleece us. On July 1, prices will go up 10 cents on both buses and subways, monthly passes will go from $70 to $75 and commuter rail passes will go from $5 to $17 depending on the distance. Unlike the last fare hikes two…
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The Fairy Queen and The Troll, Part Two
[Editor’s note: Read part one here.] “My dearest Mother,” said the Troll, “I have been watching my river in your service. One year ago, to this very date, despite my great hunger, I gave up eating of the flesh and I mourned my life’s activities. I wish only to serve you, but I do not…