May we all keep a photographof the momentsomeone’s eyesmeet our ownand linger—that silvery silence when both acceptour differences and let

We live on this planet wondering who we are beyond our griefs & sorrows, hunger, struggle & war.  Our cares

A poem by longtime Street Spirit contributor, Claire Baker.

A poem by Claire J Baker

We want to work and pay our way—yes we, America’s tempest-tossed.We’re part of and beyond the frayin actions paving our

A poem by Claire J. Baker

A poem by Claire J. Baker

In the changing skiesof circumstancelet us beas flocks of birdsguiding each otherby touching wings.

A riveting black & white photo: a homeless man & his dog asleep under freeway overpass. The dog’s head rests on the man’s hand, a guardian in

When we are numbed,shocked clear through by tragedies inour home of homes, may somehow we finda way to keep pluckingthe harp strings

The moon flowersinto full bloom.We cradle our handsfor mystical light.We have waited yearsfor such a night.Soundlesslysplendor slipsinto cupped handslike a

love remains all after all we go throughtogetheror within our own storyas heaven’s curtain risesjust enoughto offera glimpse of glory.

We wish fair flight for anyone rising from hellish ashes there and here.Since we escaped, it’s not surprisingwe wish wide wings

Some sparrows preferdowntown streets to parksor neighborhood yards.  They peck at grit trodden byrich & poor, bankers & poets,professors &

We’ve hurried pastthe huddled homeless heaped like potato sacks along city sidewalks.  We never envisioned a saintor savior might sleep under plastic over

After picking 50 boxesof grapes, hands stung &bleeding, she restsagainst a haystack,inhales in unison with cows. sheep, a curled dog.Nestled in

Imagine a truce calledover made-to-order coffee—mean words surrenderingto flags of coffee fragrance,dreamy humidity of steam.Envision conflicts re-placed by slurping sounds,the

She sips gingerlyfrom the cup of“try again,”acknowledgeslife’s lemon wedgebitter-brighton teacup’s rim.She tells us the wedgeis a yellow sailon her spunky