Street Kid

Nice thoughts Richard. I like the way you encapsulate the middle stanzas.

Thank you, PT. Poverty is a hard word to define, since it means different things to various generations. I always thought we were poor growing up in the 50s and 60s--dad had no car, we had no house, BUT in later years I discovered we were really rich---neighbourhood games, fishing and laughing a lot. Yet in later years, I did see material, and parental short comings among the impoverished in larger cities. Phew, poor kids. Rich

I know what you mean Rich. I remember when I first moved to a big city, seeing where the kids hung out compared with the rivers and fields that we had. But I suppose, like everything, a lot comes down to the individual. Not everyone I grew up with turned out ok. I certainly had my moments :) Poverty is a funny thing. Losing everything is a trauma. Never having had much? I'm not sure. My mam's family came from a slum (sorry mam!) and they all turned out fine. My nan was one of the loveliest people that ever lived. A debate that will never run out of steam.

Thank you for your insights, PT. About the worst living conditions I ever encountered was in Moosonee, Ontario, in 1967. A family of four, two adults and two young children and a dog living in a 9' x 12' canvas tent with no floor, only grass---no insulation, nor electricity, plumbing, water, beds, dressers, etc. Phew. And to cook on, a 45 gal drum with a stove pipe running out the side through a hole in the canvas. Yes, there were fires. I was the Welfare Officer for the whole of Western James and Hudson Bays from Moose River Crossing to Winisk in the North. Cheers, Richard