It was a surprise and inspiration to learn that Lorin Vernon Krogh, who now lives in an apartment at the new Opportunity Center in Palo Alto after living on the streets for years, writes short stories and poems.

Mr. Krogh, who was profiled as "Winston" in the article on the Opportuniaty Center in the Dec. 6 Almanac, would like to share a couple of his poems.

In his own words: "Here's two. I hope you dig them as I enjoyed writing 'em"

"wet leaves"

wet leaves

on the sidewalk,

red stars must

have fallen last night-

if I asked the raindrops,

almost falling off the branch,

they show me little rainbows,

a sun rising, and

white broken clouds,

morning glory.

LVK 1/30/04

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"To the opportunity center if you get 'lucky'"

I guess you've won--

this time has come,

the thrill is so gone,

before anything had begun.

When you said,

"Baby, let's be friends,"

I felt sick 'cuz I knew

all love had flown.

You've got your reasons,

and I've got mine;

my time is too short,

to sit around

and ask why,

the bird has flown

far off into the sky

the thrill was gone,

before it had begun.