Sleeping With COTS

January 14, 2010

Sleeping With COTS

After searching on the net for other ‘ART’ things is when last year about this time and for the very first time, I found the Coalition On Temporary Shelter (COTS). Hence the title of this poem, yes? Google them and you’ll see what I mean. May is another yearly fundraiser you may want to attend, ‘A Stroll Through Time.’

Looking around their website last year I found what they’ve called for several years, ‘ImagineAid.’ ImagineAid was one of COTS’s most productive fundraisers. With artists in mmined it was to help the homeless and those in need of COTS programs. Artist’s helping homelessness, how cool is that?

Many of the artists who donated their work for the occasion were schooled from one of the local prestigious art colleges whose students are picked to enter the corporate world from freshman on and who graduate with honours as well as present their amazingly creative imaginations of the past, present and especially the future, all over this planet.

I’mm not an expert on COTS nor claim to know little more than I do about them. All this artist can tell you that like many other entities similar to COTS they do their jobs well; too the point beyond what most of us can imagine they can with a very limited budget, and do every single day. As we go about our day to day they go about their’s every single night as well.

I won’t name too many names because first of all I’mm really a stranger and don’t want to embarrass them with any little thing I’ve got to say about them which means that mmy very limited knowledge of them you can fit into a thimble half the sighs of your smallest finger. Suffice it to say I know Lynn, Robin, and met their CEO who from hearing her in person can tell you that she is definitely a hell of a great singer,. They all reach out and moored than ever in today’s economy, many reach in to count on COTS for so many programs that help them, the uncounted.

I will tell you though, the person I have had the most dealings with simply because she’s one of COTS’s ‘go get ‘em’ administrators is Ms. Lynn Wilhelm. Along with the Robin and most I’ve met there, Lynn is also one of the warmest and most caring individuals you’ll ever meet. They all help each other to keep the well oiled machinery of the COTS organisation running as smoothly as possible at any given moment of each and every day; their arms outstretched, their hearts welcoming to everyone and anyone.

Without a doubt these women have big hearts; so does everyone I’ve met who works there really; from entering the front door, the people who work and smile, yes I said smile right there in non-complacency and as far up the stairs or elevators anyone cares to travel, the place is chock full of those who care for others. This fact was easily recognisable at the first time visit.

A few months later they invited this artist to attend their fundraiser/thank you in April of last year held at one of the local ballrooms where they raised over $80,000 in just that one night. Because of the hard times we’re all experiencing they still managed to raise that amount even when one considers all the planning months beforehand and the expense it took to present their combination fundraiser/ thank you to the corporations, artists and special people who help and support them.

It was a great evening and one not soon forgotten. I don’t think Mr. Ford, Chrysler or GM knew I was there, nor should they have, but I knew THEY were. Their donations along with everyone who attended including and especially the donation from Ms. V, the person most responsible for the local Jazz Festival, were very generous and kind to say the least.

The following poem then, is an interpretation of just one view of things that surround COTS’s everyday. Who ARE they? What DO they achieve? With WHOM do they achieve this? What are the lives like of those they help before and during?

Most importantly composed in somewhat of a street language the first question exactly like the last question and ‘fore won, I hope you may consider before your next hot meal and warm bed tucked in your heavenly heads up and over your security blankets.

COTS for all they do and most you’ll never know, deserves your hearts, warmth and part of your pockets; know matter how small, it’ll help in a big weigh.

‘ImagineAid,’ a take off on John Lennon’s famous quote, isn’t it? That word combination presented to you and because of what COTS does obviously live up to his dream; Imagine

Sleeping with COTS

What YOU be thinkin’ of… when you think you’re help in COTS?
Our, you savin’ family trees?
Our, you help with troubled teens ‘n tiny tots?
That’s right… That’s right… That’s COTS.

Struck with dire times, the mmom’s ‘n the pop’s
You know it’s a crime when sum - our livin’ - out – cold plops
Of fired dreams - a wake to none, to knots.

Wrought nerves, stalled rents, cold nights, cold tents ‘n dazed in flight, all’s spent
Sleep in rubbish lots of unprotected, razed and hazed, a dim life
Of cold breeze is in the air of shunned, left, doubt, in the reign of storm ‘n done
Saddened eyes, river tears of have no one to help ‘em - fear’s
That’s right… That’s right… That’s COTS.

Wild walk in fields, sore asphalt jungles, shaggy clothes, no shoes
Lost bundles of your neighbors, cousins, uncles ‘n aunts blues
Brothers, sisters now’s your chants to teach, too stop the rage, reach out ‘n catch
Bare feet runners-closed door stage-lights out-curtains-drop of water’s dry bummers.
That’s right… That’s right… That’s COTS

Those chosen when blues, ill wind billows their weigh too put them ass under’s
Shots ring out wile aye - lid’s closed-the coffins of broke in hearts - those that
Fell; a sleep under cardboard ‘n yesterday’s news spelled – you’ve cried
Wild; they’re holding their breadth of better day guise
Faith lost in visions of everyman’s cost -betrays rise up is
Left behind rings stifled chimes - oar just a weight - ‘n si - dies
That’s right… That’s right… That’s COTS.

Will you give a smile, your heart, your touch, your hand?
Too help them on their way to stand, a loan?
A fresh new start, a human kind, a phone?
Like you feel in your own safe home behind clothes, doors
And like why’s; those with scents of found – goaled pours
You know the feeling.

What it’s like to raise your families - friends
With thoughts ‘n strength of care – depend on warm den’s
Warm hugs ‘n gentle smiles, good health kissed – mother’s love child.
We’ve all been raised – too - share
With our family of WORLD - the one’s you’d never no end they’re
Like those you’ve loved in life from way back then until now… rife
The pearls – wheel’s mmedicine - sow.

Sow yes, hold LOVE ‘n don’t let go.
That’s right… That’s right… That’s COTS!!

What YOU be thinkin’ of when you think you’re help in COTS?