Unlike Michael Fagan I have had the luxury of being employed at the same organization for the the last 25 years and unlike Mr Fagan I have been able to provide and not lose my mind…

“I’m not mentally ill… I’m just poor.” Said Fagan allegedly. If he didn’t say it, it’s a great line.

Sometimes we who are fortunate enough to have work… Forget what it means to be truly poor.

Thanks for the wakeup Mr Fagan.

I didn’t know her…

She was sitting with some guy.

I couldn’t hear her.

There was a tear in her eye.

I didn’t know her…

But I guess I like them like that.

I couldn’t hear her.

But that’s not really where its at.

Cry Baby Cry. Let it go.

Let it all out. Oh me oh my.

Let me help. Those tears are gonna dry.

The Disturbance rose upon us… I stayed still against the force.

Said nothing to be quoted and in time it ran its course.

The Disturbance came upon us, I thought this will never last.

Now the Disturbance is somewhere else in a place we call the past.

I always had the advantage of knowing when they were lying…

And that wasn’t the the only advantage; I also had the faith that someday, somehow I would find the truth.

I didn’t know why they feared the truth and I don’t need to know. It’s just the way it is… predictable and patterned.

I wasn’t burdened with parents showering their delusions upon me, which at the time was seen as somewhat of a disadvantage however given the luxury of hindsight, what an advantage! What a ride its been…

I don’t ask very many people direct questions anymore, however when I do, I listen carefully to the answer they give.

The lie people tell is that they never lied. They just avoid the question.

An example: “Did you give my number to person X?”

“I haven’t texted person X in years.”

It sounds like an answer and later they will say smiling, “I never lied.”

Later they will ask after no contact with me, “Have I done something wrong?”

“You? No never…”

The text came from the man I work with. ‘Happy Friday’

It’s 6:30 a.m. and 4 crack addicts are hurriedly combing the sidewalk for whatever they imagine they dropped as a streetsweeping machine with its vacuum hose and driver bears down upon them on the sidewalk at Sherburne and Dundas.

It could be a life altering moment for at least one of them I hope as the sweeper sweeps, the light changes and the addicts scatter into the ether of early morning shadows…

Happy Friday Everyone!

Rain is rushing down the gutter.

Washing all that’s in the way.

It’s either one thing or the other…

Bad or good, it’s all in play.

Doesn’t matter what you’re thinking.

Which way that wind is gonna blow.

If you’re down there in the gutter.

Only one way up I know.

I just stay inside.

I rarely leave the door.

If I feel inspired.

I always know what for.

I just stay inside.

It’s better there for me.

I nod off by the fires.

She’s the only one I see.

I just stay inside.

A place inside my head.

If I give it voice.

Only she knows what I said.

Dennis Mantin

The owner of ‘The ‘MacIver House’ is a man called John Arkell.

He’s happy with his summer home and he’s not going to sell.

It was a grand idea but all considered, its just as well.

I’ll rent beg borrow, not steal, cause you can’t unring that bell.