{"id":1576,"date":"2022-12-16T14:43:48","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T19:43:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/?p=1576"},"modified":"2022-12-16T15:53:46","modified_gmt":"2022-12-16T20:53:46","slug":"the-hope-of-groundcover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/2022\/12\/16\/the-hope-of-groundcover\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hope of GroundCover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The story of Samuel K. by Talia Belowich<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cSweety don\u2019t get too close, he might be dangerous.\u201d A woman who looks to be in her mid-thirties yell-whispers to her daughter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Who might be dangerous?\u2019 I mumble to myself. They\u2019re the only ones on this street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I realize what\u2019s happening. The girl with the sparkly headband pinches a brown paper bag and sticks it out in front of her \u2014 right into my face. I shimmy my back a little straighter against the wall and take inventory of my appearance. I think about what I must look like. It\u2019s been two weeks since Lara kicked me out, meaning it\u2019s been two weeks since I shaved or showered. I run my fingers through the scruff on my chin and my matted hair. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This child looks at me and doesn\u2019t see a virtual pharmaceutical representative, a University of Michigan honors graduate, or a respectable fiance. She sees a filthy, stereotypical homeless man. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My present is my past and future<\/strong>, by Samuel K. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My past is abhorred,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My future ignored<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My present is all that they see. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawyer turned unemployed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is only unemployed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about his profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The homeowner turned unhoused <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is only unhoused<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked for his address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My past is abhorred, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My future ignored<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My present is all that they see.  <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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For the first few days after Lara kicked me out, I slept in our front yard. She wouldn\u2019t let me in to use the bathroom, arguing that I already shit all over her life by cheating. After almost a week of that, it started to get cold. I had no idea how to find shelter. One day I tried to get back inside to grab my credit card, phone, and some cash. I waited until she was at work, and manually lifted the garage. Unfortunately for me, she remembered to lock the basement door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only place I could think to go next was the nearest public facility. That just so happened to be the Ann Arbor public library. I walked into the library bathroom and, when I looked in the mirror, I didn\u2019t recognize the face staring back. My eyelids were puffier than I\u2019ve ever seen them, my cheeks streaked with dirty tears. there was dirt on my neck, and snot on my cheek. I was a mess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People seem to think that just because I cheated means I no longer cared for Lara. That\u2019s not true; I cheated because<\/em> I cared. It had been a long couple of months trying to get pregnant. She was becoming depressed because her ovaries were \u201cinhospitable\u201d and I was getting depressed because she was no longer attentive in our relationship. So I did the practical thing, and tried to find a surrogate. I thought I\u2019d surprise her with a child. Is that not the most caring gesture you\u2019ve ever heard?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I try and try<\/strong>, by Samuel K.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tried so hard to do the right thing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But apparently my gift was adultery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t see it that way<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My gift was a child, a life, a birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sex was simply the vehicle for which <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That birth, that life, that child <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Came about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would do anything to make my wife happy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how unhappy it makes her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I guess that\u2019s the problem.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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After washing my face and mouth in the sink, I walked over to the library computer. After opening my email to a notice from my boss telling me that I\u2019m fired for missing two consecutive weeks of work without informing anyone, I typed in: \u201cNearest food bank.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how I end up here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grab the paper bag from the girl and snap it open. A can of rice. No can opener. A motivational sticker that says \u201cYes you can :)\u201d and a sandwich with Ham, tomato and some sort of white sauce. I guess I\u2019m a carnivore now! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you dear,\u201d I say. \u201cStay safe, don\u2019t do drugs.\u201d The mother puts her hand on her child\u2019s back and ushers her away. I chuckle to myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been a long couple of days. The food bank that I tried to go to was closed by the time I got there, so I had to wait outside until the morning. When I finally got inside, I stuffed everything I could find in a bag as quickly as possible. I wanted to shout \u201cI don\u2019t belong here! I\u2019m not one of you!\u201d But the truth is, I need that place just as much as anyone else, maybe even more. I\u2019m unhoused and, as hard as that is to accept, it\u2019s now my reality and I need to make it work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, I\u2019ve been staying in a park pretty close by so that I can get food when I need it. The park is also located about a half mile away from a public restroom. It turns out, getting my basic needs met is exhausting. But, what\u2019s even worse is how I feel once those needs are met. When you\u2019re homeless and unemployed there\u2019s NOTHING to do. There\u2019s nowhere to go, nobody to talk to. It’s boring, but worst of all, it\u2019s depressing. I feel so hopeless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Boredom<\/strong> \u2013 by Samuel K. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I finger the tears in my torn up socks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I sit and I mope<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waiting for the hours to pass<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life is bleak <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every day of the week <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is another that has to <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[grass? Sass? What words rhyme with pass?] <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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More boredom <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think I\u2019m going to start a diary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, \u201cThe Chronicles of Homelessness\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of the pages can be void of words<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the tear and dirt stains will be enough<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Even more boredom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somebody is approaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll be back later. Goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cHi! Would you like a newspaper?\u201d I look up to find a woman approaching me. Wrinkly skin, black work pants, and the ugliest sweater I\u2019ve ever seen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure, thanks.\u201d Finally, something to fill the boredom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo dollars please!\u201d She holds out her hand. Does it look like I have two dollars? I\u2019m honestly sort of flattered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have cash on me, sorry.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh that\u2019s okay, we take venmo, paypal \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSorry, I should have specified. I don\u2019t have cash on me because I don\u2019t have any money at all.\u201d That should get her to go away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh! Well, are you a writer?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is this woman still standing here? \u201cAs a matter of fact, yes! I just started my very own journal series called \u2018what does a homeless guy have to do to be left alone.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cVery clever name,\u201d she says. \u201cWell if you\u2019re looking to earn some extra cash, you should submit some of your stuff to our street paper. We\u2019re always looking for new contributors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, she\u2019s serious. I sit up straighter and try to smooth out my hair. \u201cThat sounds excellent! I don\u2019t have a phone though so how can I reach you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She hands me a slip of paper with the address of the street paper headquarters, and the contact information of someone named Lindsay. I try to conceal my excitement as she walks away. Then I open back up my journal. Wait till Lara sees me now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I’ve survived<\/strong> \u2013 by Samuel K.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems as though<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s my turn to shine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fog is lifting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve survived<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tried to combat the stereotypes of homelessness through my character, while still incorporating some of the common barriers that many homeless people face. For example, I made Samuel a bit delusional, as reflected by his reason for cheating. I didn\u2019t want the reader to automatically feel bad for my character just because he is homeless. It gives a story more dimension if the main character is a little bit evil and a little bit good.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason I included the scene where Samuel receives a donation bag, is to highlight the mismatch between what is so often needed about what is given. Something we discussed in class is that people so often donate canned goods, yet so few homeless people have access to can openers. People also frequently donate perishable food that cannot be taken by homeless people with allergies, or by any established food bank or corporation. In a report done by the EPA, it was found that 84% of all donated clothing ends up in landfills (Souza, 2022). We discussed in class how a large demographic of the homeless population wear XL or XXL sized clothing. There is a large mismatch between what is donated and what is needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also included that Samuel\u2019s socks are torn in the poem, to emphasize how quickly socks get destroyed when you\u2019re walking around all day. I incorporated that the food bank was closed when he arrived in order to show the consequences of the complicated schedules that homeless resources and shelters have, and the inaccess that homeless people have to these schedules. Lastly, I decided to incorporate GroundCover news to demonstrate how excellent street papers are for providing homeless people with purpose, hope, and a real chance to get back on their feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sources<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armata, S. (2020). A little bit more cloud cover made for a stunning orange and blue sunset<\/em>. How to predict a picture-perfect sunrise\/sunset! Retrieved from https:\/\/www.nbc12.com\/2020\/09\/02\/how-predict-picture-perfect-sunrisesunset\/. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Common Wealth Fund. (2014). In Focus: Using Housing to Improve Health and Reduce the Costs of Caring for the Homeless. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.commonwealthfund.org\/publications\/newsletter-article\/2014\/oct\/focus-using-housing-improve-health-and-reduce-costs-caring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Williams, T. (2021). The Robert J. Delonis Center on Huron Street in Ann Arbor provides temporary shelter and essential services to people experiencing homelessness.<\/em> The Washtenaw Voice. The Washtenaw Community College. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.washtenawvoice.com\/2021\/03\/04\/despite-the-covid-19-pandemic-fewer-people-are-experiencing-homelessness-in-washtenaw-county\/. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Souza, A. D. (2022, November 28). This is what really happens to your used clothing donations<\/em>. Reader’s Digest. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https:\/\/www.rd.com\/article\/what-happens-used-clothing-donations\/  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Springs, A. G. (2014). State law bans “begging in a public place.”<\/em>. Michigan Radio. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.michiganradio.org\/education\/2014-02-10\/ann-arbor-based-non-profit-is-dedicated-to-building-links-between-homeless-homeful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stanton, R. (2015). MLive<\/em>. BY THE NUMBERS: A QUICK LOOK AT THE ANN ARBOR AREA\u2019S HOMELESS POPULATION. Community Solutions. Retrieved from https:\/\/community.solutions\/press\/by-the-numbers-a-quick-look-at-the-ann-arbor-areas-homeless-population\/. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The story of Samuel K. by Talia Belowich \u201cSweety don\u2019t get too close, he might be dangerous.\u201d A woman who looks to be in her mid-thirties yell-whispers to her daughter.  \u2018Who might be dangerous?\u2019 I mumble to myself. They\u2019re the only ones on this street.  Then I realize what\u2019s happening. The girl with the sparkly Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4224,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fa22-illuminations"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1576"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1606,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1576\/revisions\/1606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lsa.umich.edu\/english-iui\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}