A Soldier Of Fortune's Quest - St. Anthony Foundation

Below is one example of the many talent’s of Willie Warren. Willie is a regular in the Tenderloin Tech Lab and is liked by both staff and guests. With the usual smile on his face, Willie submitted some of his writing to share on our blog.

I’m writing to you of someone,
Born an average black guy;
At 6:00pm, nineteen fifty-five,
On the thirtieth of July.
His life was taxed with a defect,
That required love and perjury;
In the land of New Orleans,
Needing open heart surgery.
His parents were a set of folks,
Filling maid and butler spaces;
Employed by Famous Kennedys,
During early political races.
Replaced by the Secret Service.
Before an election fest;
For National Security,
And a soldier of fortune’s quest.

As a kid he learned this story,
In a Mississippi Catholic school,
St. Rose De Lima brought his best;
By befriending the Golden Rule.
In Bay St. Louis, his life began,
With the family’s Catering times;
English, Religion, History,
Science, math, and nursery rhymes.
Grammar school teachings were molds,
Lessons and morals would thrive;
Friendships and puppy love brings,
Color and makes growing up “live.”
Assassinations of great men,
Put patience and love to the test;
Those eight years were very crucial,
For a soldier of fortune’s quest

They brought forth his real talents,
Rewarding strength with cool;
To give him insight and honor,
And substance in life’s swimming pool.
Music took it’s control of him,
Poetry sustained his goal;
John F. Kennedy laid to rest,
By a gun from a twisted soul.
Pride and vision shocked this day,
Mourning the act and the loss;
Another soldier taken away,
But this one was the real boss.
Life went on and so did time,
Adolescence was aging’s guest;
Choices of life began to shape
To a soldier of fortune’s quest.

Five years left of schooling time,
He recognized his vocation;
The Bay High Public School system,
Was the new four year location.
Meanwhile the political scene,
Became like a boxing ring;
Someone took it too far and shot,
Doctor Martin Luther King
Yes, forced bussing came into play,
Whether it was good or not;
Interracial dating came forth,
Robert Kennedy had been shot.
Back to the subject guy at hand,
Playing events,practicing and rest;
As a drummer his skills gave hope,
With a soldier of fortune’s quest
Funk and Soul opened all doors,
Rock ‘n’ Roll brought graduation;
He left Bay High and posse,
For a higher learning elation.
Pearl River Junior College,
Lasted one and a half years;
Twelve months later, his parents died,
He had to face his worst fears.
A new calling spoke to him,
The road said, “Boy, go travel ;
Follow your father’s advice,
Two great years in New Orleans,
Beware the Judge’s Gavel.”
But he must leave and go West ;
He prepared himself and started,
On a soldier of fortune’s quest.
Four months in Dallas flatland;
Two desert years in Albuquerque;
Denver’s mile-hi was two years,
Four years at home, for the turkey.
Six years in Los Angeles,
Eighteen in San Francisco prime;
His jobs were cooking or warehouse,
But temp work introduced grime.
Today he’s a homeless advocate,
Freeing homeless from scandal;
He wears black cushion headphones,
And a hole in the left sandal.
Yes, it’s me I wrote you about,
A Leo and his silver crest;
And my life still continues
As a soldier of fortune’s quest

– Willie Warren
Homeless Advocate

A Soldier Of Fortune’s Quest

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