iBrattleboro readers might know Morgan Brown from his writings as Norsehorse here on the site. Here is his obituary:
“Morgan Walker Brown died peacefully surrounded by love on Tuesday December 16th. A person of enduring determination and wise compassion, to the very end he used his prose and his voice to advocate for people in need. Morgan inspired many to follow in his example of empathy, kindness, and compassion.
Among the many hats that Morgan wore, he was primarily a writer and activist in the Montpelier community. In recent years, he even began to show up around the community in a Santa suit to bring a smile and joy to those often forgotten in his role of Wandering Santa; this role had started as a small act of love for his visiting granddaughter and blossomed into a much larger deed as he subsequently brought holiday cheer to homeless encampments during the coldest months. His poetry was read aloud in press conferences and by legislators in the State House. Most importantly he presented it as a tool to advocate for people to have shelter and housing.
Morgan spent many years experiencing homelessness in the latter half of his life. He was never afraid to push people to truly understand disability justice. Even while unsheltered, he never missed an opportunity to advocate for those who had less than he did. He spent his days surrounded by those in suits and tidy haircuts advocating for change, sticking out intentionally to draw attention to his cause. Morgan was not paid for this work; it was not a job but a calling in every sense of the word. It was who he was and was in every stitch of his being.
After decades of experiencing homelessness, he found what he recently referred to as his “forever home,” which brought him stability, real community and deep friendships. He lived his life out in a small studio apartment that was “enough” for him. He had longed for all of this while he lived unsheltered and worked his whole life for all people to have the privilege of a place to call home. In the end of his life he was clear that he had found peace.
Morgan leaves behind his beloved cat Cleopatra whom he adopted from the Central Vermont Humane Society 11 years ago. She lives up to her name as the Queen of his house. She brought him so much comfort and love, especially in the final year of his life in which she bestowed upon him strength and the ability to bear his trials with grace and dignity. She was most definitely his heart.
He is survived by his siblings Alison Lawson and Jeff Hackett, his two children Justin Brown and Alex Grey, his daughter-in-law Rina Brown, and his beloved granddaughter Kirana Brown. And also, by his many friends, his beloved community, and those who have not yet found home.
There is no better way to represent his wishes except in his own words. Morgan asked for all of us left behind to bring his empathy, love and compassion into all aspects of our lives. His challenge to us is to care for those who are experiencing homelessness; to fight for humane policies that treat all people like fellow human beings, every single day.
In 2021 he wrote this poem while there was a twenty-seven-night protest on the statehouse steps to keep people sheltered:
In Lieu of Flowers (Remember and Care for the Living)
For those living unhoused,
abandoned to the streets,
left to live in the woods,
underneath bridges,
sleep in dumpsters and the like;
it is far too late to think of,
remember fondly, send flowers
or otherwise honor and memorialize them
after they have languished and died from lying wet,
frozen, alone and forgotten,
due to deliberate indifference
as well as from a lack
of sufficient caring and empathy
Morgan Brown fought for people, he represented people, and he showed up for people. In his final days, he asked that his legacy be carried on in all of us. Let us show up as he would have. In his own words, let us care for and remember the living each time we think of him. Morgan asked that donations in his honor be made to End Homelessness Vermont and Another Way
Checks can be made out to:
End Homelessness Vermont
1205 North Avenue
Suite 13
Burlington VT, 05408
Or you can donate online at : https://www.endhomelessnessvt.org/donate.html
OR
Another Way
PO Box 506
Montpelier VT
05601
Or you can donate online at: https://www.anotherwayvt.org/
A memorial service will be held at a later date.’
