Stephen Holladay regularly speaks in verse. He introduces himself with a poem, and throughout the course of a short conversation, he shares many poems that he’s written over the years.
The 63-year-old Street Roots vendor describes himself as a “Gentleman-Poet-Sinner-Saint, a Warrior Angel for those who ain’t.”
Stephen has been performing his poems for more than 20 years, and it shows. He is a master of recitation. His poems — rhymed, rhythmic and inspired — fill a room with energy. They’ve been published in literary journals and in Street Roots, and he has at least 300 of them committed to memory.
“Sometimes I get really prophetic, and I don't mean to, it just comes to me,” he said. “I'm very spiritual. I don't quote the Bible or nothing, but I seem to have these messages pass through me.”
Poetry isn’t Stephen’s only medium. These days, he’s been making bonsai trees out of copper wire. He finished his 375th tree this week.
“I soldered 800 leaves on it, and if you stand by it and blow on it, the leaves rustle.”
He also makes scorpions, dragonflies, ants, butterflies and more out of wire. He has an eye for color and sculpture. It’s part of what made him a successful private plane upholsterer for 36 years.
Stephen lived with his son for many years in a home near Fernhill Park in Northeast Portland. When Stephen did his shopping at the New Seasons on Northeast 33rd Avenue and Killingsworth Avenue, he’d usually see a Street Roots vendor selling papers.
After learning more about Street Roots, Stephen decided he wanted to get involved.
Shortly after joining Street Roots, Stephen’s house burned down on New Year's Day of 2021. He lost many of his copper wire creations and more than 700 of his poems in the fire.
“It was devastating,” he said.
Stephen started living out of his car while looking for another place. But then he got in an accident, a hit-and-run, that totaled his vehicle.
“After that, I was really on the streets,” he said.
To supplement his social security income, Stephen started selling Street Roots regularly. His favorite spot to sell the paper is at the New Seasons where he first learned about Street Roots, at 5320 NE 33rd Ave.
On Aug. 8, Stephen moved into a new apartment off of Northwest 23rd Avenue thanks to Northwest Pilot Project, a nonprofit that connects low-income seniors in Multnomah County who are capable of independent living with rental housing.
“Those guys are awesome, they got me in quick,” Stephen said. “It took me two weeks to wash the street off me, but I'm feeling a lot better.”
Stephen still sells Street Roots regularly to supplement his social security and to help him purchase art supplies. He sells his papers early in the morning and during hot afternoons. He tries to work when other Street Roots vendors aren't using the spot.
“I respect the other people because they got to make their money,” he said. “I'm doing it partly for social reasons.”
Connecting with customers is Stephen's favorite part of the job.
“I love selling the Street Roots,” he said. “I love having the conversations that go along with it, and I certainly love the people. And I tell everybody that buys a paper from me, 'I appreciate you,' you know, 'Thank you so much.' Usually, I get the same thing back.”
When customers are willing to chat, Stephen likes to share his poetry and his creations with them. He recently made a t-shirt that reads, “I’m a Poet. Ask me about my art.” He hopes it will inspire more conversations.
Stephen struggles with pain, the result of a car accident that broke both of his feet a year and a half ago.
“I have a hard time getting around a little bit,” he said.
But it doesn’t get him down. Stephen’s optimism is tenacious.
“I just have to remember how fortunate I am, and how every day I'm grateful,” he said. “There's three secrets to life that I've discovered. The first one is posture — you can't have a bad day with your head held high. The other one is to become the person you'd most like to meet. And the third one is to love kindness.”
Now, Stephen is looking forward to spending time in his new apartment, working on his art and spending time with his sons.
“They’re all blessings,” he said. “I smile every day, because I wake up in the morning and I get to be me.”
Street Roots is an award-winning weekly investigative publication covering economic, environmental and social inequity. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
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