The Meadow Annual Literary Arts Journal 2022

8 The Meadow I go to college and live at the women’s shelter, so instead of homework I do shelter work. Everything I have achieved in my life I have done out of selfishness for myself, so I can help others. My caseworker is barely out of college, and I have made myself her success story. I like myself because I am with me 24 hours a day. I am a good person. I care about everyone, but I care about me the most. Once or twice I got lost in the shadows, and I made my own light. I can be my own star, navigational compass, and even a lighthouse. A blind lady hangs out in the hallway. I always ask her if she needs anything. I am happy she always tells me, No. One time she said, Yes, I almost ran away. I stayed and asked what she needed. She asked me to read to her. I was so happy. I read to her and tried to make her see. Today, when the ambulance shows up there are two people inside it. The ambulance also has a person in the back when they drive away. There is always a bed open at the women’s shelter after they leave. The Ambulance Took Away Another Person Today Alice “Lucky” Lacerenza

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