I sketched an image of you
In the heart of Portland, Oregon, journalist and poet Kaia Sand resides in a vibrant, colourful tent community, her surroundings a stark contrast to the bustling cityscape just beyond. Cars rush by on either side, while palm trees sallow in the northern sun. The tent she calls home is punctured, a testament to the transient nature of her living conditions.
Despite the hardships, Kaia Sand maintains an optimistic mood. Her belongings, lumped together, form a mountain range of personal items, including a lime-green lava lamp and a cracked brown belt. Her boots are set at right angles, a sign of her resilience in the face of adversity.
Sand's life has not been without its challenges. She has lost a half of a foot and a third of a leg to frostbite, a stark reminder of the harsh realities she faces daily. Yet, she demonstrates an insistence on life in her work, her outstretched arms a symbol of her unwavering commitment to her craft.
Sand's work is not for the faint-hearted. Fentanyl smoke clings like a globe in her environment, a reminder of the dangers she encounters while reporting on homelessness. Yet, she presses on, her journalism offering a grassroots perspective on the issues facing Portland's homeless community.
Sand's approach to reporting is evident in her daily routine. She files her taxes, demonstrating a commitment to accountability and transparency. Music begins at dusk, providing a soundtrack to her evenings. She calls out a friendly 'have a good weekend' from her tent, her words a beacon of hope in a challenging environment.
Sand's work is not just about reporting the facts. She collects groundscores of dropped jewelry, a reminder of the personal stories behind each item. She warms the frozen hummingbird in her hands, a gesture of compassion in the face of suffering.
Recently, Sand has been handed a swaddled cat named Ghost, adding a touch of warmth to her tent. She also looks after a yellow lab living on Third, a testament to her care for all living beings.
In her tent, Sand has geriatric medicine in middle age and a grandmother's ashes, a poignant reminder of the circle of life. Daffodils festoon a blue-tarped tent, a symbol of hope amidst the hardships.
Sand's work extends beyond her tent. She has been known to move her camp to the river until 'it all blows over', a testament to her adaptability in the face of adversity. Her commitment to her work and her community is unwavering, her outstretched arms a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of homelessness.
Though specific examples of Sand's work on homelessness in Portland are not readily available, her dedication to her craft and her community is evident in her daily life. Her work, no doubt, offers a unique and compelling perspective on the issues facing Portland's homeless community.
- Kaia Sand's home, a vibrant tent in Portland, Oregon, is adorned with a lime-green lava lamp and a cracked brown belt, highlighting her unique lifestyle.
- Sand's work delves into fashion-and-beauty and relationships, offering a grassroots perspective on issues facing Portland's homeless community, particularly through her reporting on personal stories and Groundscores of dropped jewelry.
- In her tent, she nurtures both pets and plants, such as Ghost the cat and daffodils, demonstrating her care for all living beings in her home-and-garden.
- Despite the hardships and challenges, Kaia Sand continues her pursuit of personal-growth and education-and-self-development, moving her camp to the river when necessary, reflecting her adaptability and unwavering commitment to her craft and community.
