Claire Cameron is a novelist, essayist and author of the forthcoming memoir How to Survive a Bear Attack. This piece was assembled from online discussions about first-hand experiences of sleeping on the street.
To sleep on the street
The first night is terrifying the cold settles in you feel it in your legs first try to ignore it but it gets worse
Waking up in the cold light of morning people are bustling to work they’re all showered and lively you’re the opposite I know I look disheveled
Butter & jellies in the morning spend all day looking for hot meals all you had for dinner was a cold bologna and cheese
Where can I use the bathroom never ever let yourself run out of plastic bags and toilet paper a small washrag and a bar of soap a folding toothbrush
A shelter was not easy the smells roaming pets loud voices not enough beds
It’s the time that gets you the library is an amazing place a place to sit without being told to “move on” with outlets to charge my phone
Imagine feeling constant anxiety sleeping outside is cold and illegal all you can think about is “I just want to go home”
I make the choice every day not to let my situation completely break me a lack of affordable housing most help is temporary
The experience has altered me forever but I survived I can’t help but look around me see those lost and remember those I’ve known.