Somewhere to Exist

Morgan Sandys is a writer, social worker, paralegal, and advocate for the unhoused — human and animal alike. She majored in creative writing at WWU, but struggled to find work after graduation, eventually losing her home and everything in it. After living homeless in Seattle for three years, she finally received transitional housing and was able to return to school for her paralegal certification. Since then, she's volunteered at the Tenant Law Center, interned for the SCRAP division of public defenders, and worked as a Homeless Outreach Coordinator for REACH. In her free time, she's a proud Alley Cat Project volunteer, helping find homes for Seattle's strays, and providing spay/neuter services to unhoused pet owners through Seattle Humane. 
 

Tell us of the places  
     left when shelters fill each day: 
Where else but in public spaces 
     can our ad-hoc homes remain? 
How can you tell us when to go,  
     but never where to stay? 
Seems we’re see-through when it suits you 
     but just as quick, we’re in your way 

Tell us of the places 
     that we ought to go instead 
While we wait our turn for housing: 
     should we vanish – or play dead? 
When you’re faced with human suffering, 
     do you act – or turn your head? 
And if you don’t want to see us, 
     we need services and beds.  

Tell us of the places  
     safe from being towed or swept. 
How can we rebuild our lives 
     with that ever-looming threat? 
Constant shuffling does nothing 
     to get us off the streets, and yet -  
we’re out of view to ease your conscience that our basic needs aren’t met. 

So tell us of the places 
     that we always seem to miss. 
Tell us of these places 
     - if you can find them – or desist! 
Just tell us where this place is 
     so we’ll, at last, unclench our fists... 
or stop working to displace us. 

We need somewhere to exist.