Narrative
Seagulls share more commonalities with our homeless populations than we realize. Both are transient and both are scavengers created by nature or society. Comparing people to nature’s birds may seem harsh but when you read this book, you will not only see the accuracy of the comparison but also the reality how they fit in the same category as judged by society. Nobody wants to burden their families and many choose to leave home rather than be a burden. This book is about humanity – we are all connected one way or another and we should reach out and help someone even if it is a small step in understanding them better and how they cope and function in our civil society as we call it.
When looking up characteristics of this bird, I found commonalities too harsh and realistic not to mention and bring it to the attention of society as we pretend homeless people don't exist as we walk by them daily and consider them a nuisance in many states, cities, and public places. This is a reality check on our transient homeless conditions on the streets. Nothing has changed for making things better and everything has changed to make things worst.
This book will hopefully address two things - first and foremost, we are talking about people; men, women, and children. Secondly, we need to come to a realization these people can't survive without our help. We can't pretend they don't exist and that's the primary reason for doing this harsh but realistic analogy between two entirely different species and realize, they are much the same in the eyes of society unless we humanize them and see them as people and not scavenger birds such as the seagulls. Society is quick to brand people into class and categories that suit their own needs more than it does society itself. When you learn more about people, you experience love, compassion, kindness along with leniency, tolerances, and empathy. Many of these homeless folks are good people. Many are veterans who served with honor and became troubled with PTSD or other invisible wounds that required special care and attention.
The author writes about his own experiences with transient and homeless people during his life experiences. Having been homeless himself after coming home from Vietnam and experiencing PTSD and divorce, he shares the commonalities between the ever resilient Seagull and the transients on our streets. The homeless people shun or try to forget even during inclement weather. This book tries to connect the author’s feelings with those of the reader. Hopefully, it awakes a human conscience that heals and gives hope to others.
