Some cardboard signs detail his drug-induced move to Northern Nevada. He says he was taken from a previous home in Texas against his will but wasn’t necessarily drugged against his will. When he came to sobriety, he says, he found himself in Reno. Despite the confusing messages on his cardboard signs, some indicating he believes Planned Parenthood stole his genome, Morgan’s tune on his guitar is smooth and pleasant. The perfect sort of sounds for a cool September morning along the Truckee river in downtown Reno.
Another Our Town Reno reporter Prince Nesta caught up with Morgan a few days before and recorded him playing his guitar as well as sharing his views and insights from being homeless for over 15 years.
"I think of myself as a guitarist, musician, composer. I don’t think I’m quite a performance artist material but I’m pretty good. I’m a little old to become a performance artist but it doesn’t mean I still can’t be a good musician and it doesn’t mean I can’t compose. I actually think i am coming into my own and if I make a mark at all it will be as a composer not as a performer." Photo and reporting by Prince Nesta for Our Town Reno.
Camping Over Homeless Shelters
Like many homeless Our Town Reno has interviewed in recent months, Morgan tends to avoid Reno's main shelter. "It overwhelms my soul," he says. "I would rather perish exposed in the wilderness than stay in such a place." He feels uncomfortable, he goes on to explain, around others with mental illnesses.
He wishes every day camping was legal somewhere convenient to simplify his existence. "I could live more comfortably in a tent than most people live in their house," he says.
"Allow me my own sanctuary," Morgan says. While his thoughts run toward the chaotic at times, there is an attention to detail to everything Morgan places around him. Photo by Jordan Gearey for Our Town Reno.
A Passion for Francisco Tarrega
"Some of my most favorite songs are from the classical period in history, a fine example would be (the Spanish composer) Francisco Tarrega," Morgan says.
"I can play three of his pieces fairly well at times and I’m learning a fourth one called Recuerdos de la Alhambra but I can only struggle through the first page of it right now."
"I have played stringed instruments off and on in my life since I was in the fifth grade." Reporting by Prince Nesta and photo by Jordan Gearey for Our Town Reno
Philosophy and Fatalism
Morgan is both philosophical and fatalistic. "I understand (myself) and I know (myself) like Shakespeare (wrote) in one of his plays, one of the characters (says) know thyself ... I think I know myself."
"I hold hope by holding no hope…. as odd as that sounds ... if something good does occur then I can feel a little more grateful for it."
Asked for final thoughts, Morgan had this to say: "Believe in yourself first. Pay yourself first, follow your heart and do that which you know is right." Reporting by Prince Nesta and photo by Jordan Gearey for Our Town Reno.
Photos and reporting by Jordan Gearey, with additional audio recording, photo and reporting by Prince Nesta for Our Town Reno