No leash law will ever keep you safe from it.

[Bill Cady]

IRONY IS A DOG THAT BITES VERY HARD

A relatively new subscriber initiated a two-part question, something I’ve asked for many times but rarely received. The first question: am I able to use a stated phrase, (in this case it’s one of my own witticisms), as the theme of a blog post? The second question: do I ever object when someone suggests a topic for an article?

In response, I believe the first is a great idea and not only do I not object to readers offering suggestions on topics, I’ve asked a number of times to receive them.

It’s my belief, based on the hard-earned knowledge I gathered about living homeless, I could write a fine blog post based on the first three words of the lead article in any newspaper. The issues affecting the homeless are vast and, in most cases, horrible and depressing.

The title to this post is one of my witty sayings as an e-mail response, which prompted the inquiries. I assume the statement stood out, so be sure to leave a note to your grandkids saying you knew the guy who issued that famous quote when they one day read it in some college course.

The definition of “homeless” is simple and easily understood: Having no home or haven.

n. (used with a pl. verb) People without homes considered as a group. Often used with the.

A few parts of the definition of irony stand out:

1. a. The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. The word “homeless”, and living that way, literally are what it sounds like; having no home, beyond a country that does almost nothing to assist you, bottom line.

b. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning. There’s no contrast at all in what’s meant and what’s intended, or what occurs. It’s the epitome of loneliness in every way.

c. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect. There’s absolutely nothing humorous about living that way, and there’s nothing flowery or elaborate in being homeless.

2. a. Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs. The irony is in the total incongruity. So many never expect to become that way, yet they suffer the shock of a lifetime when it happens. The totally unelaborated truth is the hopelessness to follow when these people learn, as easy as it was for them to slip into that wretched lifestyle, it’s directly out of proportion to how hard it is to escape. In most cases, the loss is irrecoverable. The homeless person is destined to stay that way forever.

Once a member of the fold, it’s then nearly impossible to ever get away from it. If it should become fact a man or woman makes it back, it can’t be done without a helping hand. For whatever it’s worth, you have two of ‘em.

I’m just sayin’.

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