Dear Judge by: DaVida Hazelton

Dear Judge,

     I don’t meet the requirements; I’m so old I’m the same age as Jesus. Besides I’m homeless and we walk around and nobody sees us. We try to get on our feet; we apply for a job but nobody needs us. I’m an old, homeless woman and I’ve written two books but they cry out, “Nobody reads us”. Only a soup kitchen agrees to feed us. We are a strong group of fighters with no one to lead us. Society just bleeds us but we’re like a beautiful Mercedes Benz and somebody just keyed us. We are the epitome of a strong case with no lawyer to plead us. So I’ll step up and scream out, “Order in the court”. I’m homeless, I’m black, I have nappy hair and I’m short but if writing was equivalent to basketball I’d even take Steph Curry on the court. I have no mission to abort but I’m tired of sleeping at the missions and smelling Newport’s; tired of, “Upon a star” wishing and being a worry wart. So I’ve decided to take up fishing as a competitive sport. Don’t take it as dissing, it’s merely a retort and I find you in contempt; you have a 1,000.00 dollar fine to pay. This is not a kidnapping but I will tie you to a chair and force you to hear the words that I say! I would have pride if I were gay but I’m ridiculed and rejected because I have nowhere to stay. You see blue skies but I only see gray but in the words of Kevin Hart, “you gone’ learn today!” Wish I could be like Ice Cube and say “Today was a good day” or like my friends the Beatles and go back to yesterday or maybe like Kirk Franklin and wait for a Brighter Day but I’m too busy trying to figure out what I’m going to do tomorrow with all of its sorrows and no money to borrow to even enjoy today. I don’t even remember how to pray. I’m so jealous of Shirley Murdock singing as we lay. Maybe I should convince her that we should be gay because at least with her I’d have somewhere to stay.

Dear Judge,

    I rest my case and I promise to get out of your face as soon as you allow me to spend the night at your place. My pastor told me that God loves me so I’m trying to reach second base so I can sing of His Amazing Grace. See, in my head there’s more than just empty space. I have to sleep with a bottle of mace so I don’t wake up and be starring on Without a Trace; so if you’re planning on helping me pick up the pace; don’t let my talents go to waste. Homelessness does not discriminate on gender, religion, political standing or race! So if you find me guilty I’ll file an appeal; I wrote in permanent ink so there’s no way I can be erased!

Written by: DaVida Sharell Hazelton