The Morning After
The night has passed, and the day lies open before us …
Well, what was it like? Well, it was colder than last year, and a cold wind whistled around the Cloisters all night, and at some stage, I’m not sure exactly when, I did feel drops of rain on my face. I remember tucking my head deeper into my sleeping bag, and not worrying. I did hear myself snore a little from time to time, but my sleeping companions said it was nothing compared to some roaring snoring at the other end of the row.
We settled down for the night after a short but poignant service led by Canon Ed Probert, the Canon Chancellor of the Cathedral. John interceded, Bishop Stephen gave a short reflection on how invisible homeless people can become – when faced with an authority figure, or when we choose to ignore them. Our free supper was provided for us by Tesco, and the “hot dog” type bun filled with some cold meat, washed down by a hot coffee, sent us off to our sleeping bags. The younger people were chatting in softened tones around us, and Wilts Army Cadets, local church youth groups, and St Edmund’s School Salisbury were represented; but us oldies needed to get our heads down. I pulled my hat down over my head, and as predicted, I soon was dreaming with the angels, and woke around 0600 with only that light sprinkling of precipitation to interupt a good night’s rest. I was fortunate, others looked pretty wrecked.
As the younger people slept on, we swiftly rolled up our bags and mats, and headed out to breakfast with Canon Ed. Then I needed to get home. Home, such a simple requirement and yet full of sensations for me this particular morning. I could not wait to get out of my clothes, and feel the razor blade on my stubbly cheeks and neck. The warm water washing the sweat and gunk from my body, the warmth of the towelling gown I wrapped myself in. How would I have felt if I had been denied those basic washing provisions? And family to chat with, and feel valued by – not much to ask, but denied for many.
I carried on with my day’s plans, but those who will be sleeping out again tonight will find more important tasks than I – where will they find food, how will they avoid being compromised by being moved on, or their possesions stolen, and where will they find shelter and companionship today, tonight, tomorrow?
