UNCOVERED ISSUES

UNCOVERED ISSUES GIVES OUR VENDORS AND WRITERS A VOICE. IT IS A CHANCE FOR THEM TO SHARE THEIR STORIES — AND CONNECT WITH YOU, OUR READERS.

UPDATE

BY: WILLIAM POWELL

How are you? This is William Powell. I am glad to hear the great news about the tiny homes for the homeless. Wouldn’t it be great to take off and own one of those tiny houses? I would love to take off and land in one of those any day. As soon as I can I am going to try this thing myself, I want to head right in that direction to recover from all this mess. It is real encouraging and don’t forget just stay with it and overcome, it works. One other thing is that we can buy one magazine and get one free, so that is helping us make progress. That's all for now, thanks to you guys.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William is a One Step Away vendor and writer who uses his writing to keep in touch with all of his supporters.

17TH & BEN FRANKLIN PARKWAY VENDOR SINCE NOVEMBER 2013

OPPORTUNITY

BY: KAREEM JONES

I look out the window and what do I see? A whole world full of opportunity Not past the clouds, not past that tree But so close to me it seems to breath on me, If opportunity can breathe Does that mean it has a nose? Can I use mine to sniff it out? Guiding me on where to go If opportunity can knock Does that mean it has a fist? Is it just a figure of speech? No easier to grab than mist Franklin did contain something Something many find frightening Up in the sky on rainy days He found a way to channel lightening Certainly a tough act to follow Making many ideas feel hollow Or empty when the inner is searched Left still like a bird that’s perched Are birds lazy for being in their nest Or taking yet a well deserved rest It is the latter I don’t have to guess Up working earlier than all the rest Taking advantage of every chance Keeping their bodies as busy as ants So what does it mean to stay prepared And always having the will to try It means that opportunity will never Get a chance to pass you by.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kareem is a One Step Away vendor, who began writing poetry this year and wrote his first article “No Child Left Unprotected” published in One Step Away Magazine’s Issue 2. He is going to continue to submit monthly. Kareem can often be found in Old City distributing the OSA Magazines.

BORN

BY: RICHARD RAMSON

Born

I was born to a drunk born to a drug abuser Born to have the doctor stamp on my forehead born loser Born to witness tragedy born to close your mouth in silence Born for police brutality born for domestic violence Born to be dragged from a truck born to be raped Born to be called nigger, monkey, ape Born to have a low self-esteem born to hold on to nothing but a dream Born to be chalked and bagged never escaping the crime scene Born black, so I’m born to feel nothing but blues Born to feel agony born to where they follow no rules Born to be hung born for jail Born to be told you will amount to nothing you will always fail Born with all this pain and struggle but you continue to live for God You cry as you watch many blessings appear because you persevered through the ride Now you born to be a lawyer born to be a doctor Born to accept your position in life and not worry about who’s the most popular born to love God born to put God first Born with the gift of writing poetry attempting to touch a life in every verse Born to be a leader born to be a teacher Born to deliver the word of God where ever you go so the streets nick-named you preacher Born to go against the grain born to demand respect Born to remove the foot from where it has always rested My neck…..

Born

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Ramson is an author, poet, spoken-word artist, vendor, and father. Ram uses his poetry and writings to express his feelings through the good times and the bad. He can be found in Chestnut Hill distributing One Step Away Magazine when he isn’t with his daughter Symphony. Ram recently obtained housing for him and his daughter. He hopes to continue to vend One Step Away, support himself and his daughter, and work on his next goal in life.

There was once a tree that was full of leaves. A tree that was dear and hard to please. It told me that every word my mouth should speak. A leaf would fall from the mercy seat. So I went about life without uttering a word. Society thought that this was so absurd. They couldn’t understand the words I didn’t say. They thought this was some sort of play. So I spoke one word, two, three, maybe four. A couple leaves fell from the tree, and then some more. My family and friends couldn’t understand why. I spoke no more, I was afraid to die. The words I’ve spoken in the past, were weak with no love. It was all about me, with no love from above. I tried to explain to the mothers of my kids. Of this awful tree deal for the things that I did. I wanted to make it all up, in just one day. But this particular tree told me there wasn’t no way. So on my lips went the uttering of words. So many words the people never heard. I tried to explain that if I talk I could die. I did my best with a tear in my eye. But they thought of me as shallow, selfish and low. An enemy of theirs, a darkened old foe. I wish I could explain and share much insight. Of my life in the past, the things that wasn’t right. But no one could understand, they thought I lost my mind. I just couldn’t die now, and leave love ones behind. Oh please Lord forgive me, for all of my wrongs. Bless me once more, and give me life to live long. So God reached out with power from above. Said son what you need to do, is show others more love. Cause when you love others, you’re really loving Me. I’m opening your eyes so that now you can see. But this time only three leaves were left. My previous talking had fallen all the rest. Three leaves that’s all of God that’s left on this tree. My final three words, Father what could they be? A mighty voice roared, saying this thing to do. Turn to your neighbor and utter, “I love you”. Three words, three leaves, I’ll obey His voice. And my old life has died, for the new to rejoice. Oh what goodness the Lord has given. A dying tree to die, to place me among the living. I thank you Lord for my life, family and friends. To learn a lesson like this, is worth being in You again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bryant overcame homelessness and now advocates for others through his writings. Here he is pictured reading an original poem at the 2018 Homeless Memorial Day in front of a sign listing the 270 names of individuals we lost that year due to homelessness.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO VOTE IN PHILLY’S NOVEMBER 5 ELECTION

If you registered by the October 7 deadline, you're all set to vote. You can check your registration status online at the PA voter services website. The date of the election is November 5, 2019. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. If you're not sure of your polling place, you can also find that online at the PA voter services website. If it is the FIRST time you vote, you must bring a photo or non-photo ID. You will also want to go online if you'd like to view a list of the candidates for city council, or view a sample ballot for your district. These can both be done on the Philadelphia votes websites: pavoterservices. pa.gov and philadelphiavotes.com. Voting for City Council members There are a total of 17 seats up for election, and a total of 36 candidates. 20 candidates are up for 10 district seats. Your ballot will have only your district on it. There are 16 candidates running for 7 “At Large” seats up for election. Each voter may vote for 5 making a total of 6 votes for city council members. Why I Am Voting For Joe Cox for City Council I am voting for Joe Cox because I have personally seen how much he truly cares. I’ve witnessed him feeding the hungry, including myself, thousands of pizzas all over Philadelphia. I have protested side by side with him in the streets for multiple equitable causes. Joe has been to every single city council meeting since announcing, and has been to our capital several times fighting for equitable causes. A vote for Joe is a vote for diversity on our city council.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caia is a vendor and site representative for One Step Away. Caia can be found distributing magazines on South Street. She writes for OSA and her article on Tiny Homes for Philly’s homeless was featured in the last issue. Caia is also featured in the season finale of our podcast Heard which can be found online on stitcher.

LAST ISSUE’S PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

CROSSWORD

A G A V E S I D E L A P P L A M E R I C O N O N E S P U B L I C R E L A T I O N S S L O U C H D O M I N A N T M A A M R O T C B O D S L A P R E L E T S A P E R E G I S R O B O T D E P A R T M E N T S T O R E G R O V E A C A I H O S E E A T I N G E K E D K I D S N A P E P I C I S C H E M I A I N U R E S S P L I T I N F I N I T I V E M A I N N O R M N I T E R S M O G S T O P G E E S E WORD SEARCH

C A R B O N N E U T R A L Q C W A T E R S U P P L Y U P Z S W E S C M A C I D R A I N T E E G A O Q W G V E X T I N C T M H N S P O L L U T I O N M E I V D Y X D C Q T I D P R G W S E S S J Y S S M O G A A N X S L T T C K O A O C F W S I Y I N O E T P N L I D E S B L W O I R M M U F N N S D C B V Z N N M O S R A I N F O R E S T S O C T F G W C W E A T H E R D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N W C Q O R R E C Y C L I N G H E A R T H D A Y Q B A M B O O

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