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# Letter: Wake up to the homeless and veterans on our streets
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/030404-story/
- Published: 2004-03-04T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:54:31.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Faye Riley Santa Monica*

Wake up Editor: We moved our brothers and sisters Off our sweeped business streets With no food to eat … Wake up.

We watch others push Responsibilities under the Law While we do the same And give them the blame … Wake up.

We have our own excuses of problems Too many to help another, Misunderstanding to serve One in Love is to serve Self … Wake up.

We disassociate ourselves from Our brothers and sisters in need, With a judgment in greed … Wake up.

We ignore many are Vets Living the effects of the Killing, beating, and dictating Of war sponsored by our officials. Wake up.

We casually walk by those On the street calling for help Calling for Love as if They don’t have a voice, While we listen to anyone in the propaganda box. Wake up.

We say “it’s not my concern” Unaware that their need Of something Higher is Our own cry … Wake up.

We arrest and punish The people whose hearts Call them to feed Houseless on the streets … Wake up.

We’d like to think it’s Out of our hands, Yet it only takes our Hand-to-hand to … Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 4, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/030404.pdf?ref=smdp.com)