In March, John Olander was “kicked to the curb” after his friend and roommate passed away. For months, John was homeless until he connected with an old friend, James Ainsworth, that took him in.
John and James have helped each other out during the pandemic, and this is central to John’s piece.
“It’s okay to need somebody else’s help,” he said.
Description
John grew up in Denver’s Park Hill community in the 60s and 70s and says he became a real estate agent in the community at 19, working in the condominium and alternative financing markets in the 1980s.
In later years, he says he struggled with homelessness and alcoholism but turned his life around and found new purpose by working with community service organizations like Metro Caring and the Denver Senior Support Services.
John discovered a second vocation as a writer and poet through the Hard Times writing group. He was selected as an “I am Denver” storyteller through Denver Public Library and has told his story in online videos and in public forums through his poetry.
“I always try to find ways to use my unique skills and experiences to help others,” John says. “I believe in synergy and I try to look out for the interests of all.”
RMPBS: Writing the Pandemic
Hope
John Olander
November 18, 2020
Hope
It is hard to keep your attitude straight.
When daily, you are forced to wait.
Everything takes so damn much time.
A Quarter might as well be a Dime.
What can I do? Where should I go?
Is it going to rain or snow?
It’s not too long before you are thinking,
“What the hell, I’ll just start drinking”
Disaster pending with every sip,
a sip…. a drink…. a guzzle, then you trip.
So begins the predictable fall and…
you’ll be mocked by one and all.
But, don’t give up, your chance is not gone,
From the Spirit above your strength is drawn.
So take a deep breath and sit still, realize
that hope and desire help create all you will.
But as with arduous climb, it requires a
A goal, resolve and lots of time.
So concentrate on YOUR goal
and ignore the problems at hand.
Dig in, Grit your teeth, and
journey HARD to the Promised Land.
To live the life you want to live,
You must be committed to give, give, give.
If you feel like you want to whine,
Just help somebody else out, you’ll be fine.
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