Monday, January 26, 2009

Men In Trees

I read a news story today in our local paper about a homeless man being found dead by the side of the road not very far from my safe and quiet neighborhood.

This is not the first time that there have been reports of homeless men found dead in the area, but this one stopped me so still and chilled me so thoroughly I wonder if I will ever be the same.
It seems this man- and many others- are living up in the branches of the tamarisk trees on the road that runs along the freeway.

What shocked me even more was that the police community affairs officer said that the city knew they were there.

So...let me get this straight- in a Valley that has just spent thousands of dollars to promote an art festival, a film festival and the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament- we have people living in trees; we know about it; and we just go about our daily lives?

Who are we?

3 comments:

amy said...

~Said in my best sarcastic voice~
The people living in the trees cannot be seen, therefore, why do anything about it? Helping them does not bring people to the desert; it does nothing for promoting out "vacation spot" or the "city of festivals". Who needs humanity when you've got hot air balloons and date shakes.

Tracy said...

who are we indeed and what are we thinking and why are so many invisible AND why is Palm desert again funding a food and wine fair that even the middle classes can't afford to attend...

poetiquejustis said...

There is a very good reason why you two are my friends.