Walking by on a mission
simply ignoring those they pass.
Do they think we chose this
As they rush to their warm houses,
do they fondly remember
the last hearty meal they ate?
Chilling winds pass through our
bodies as they
move quickly past.
Outstretched hands are avoided
who knows what germs we may have?
As snow starts to fall
the white flakes stick to
the gray cold pavement.
Cold
flakes form small mounds on
my still body.
We weren’t always like this
cold
hungry
and alone.
A job
A name,
all in the past, forever trapped
in a useless soul.
Feet are gliding faster past
as the sun begins to set.
Kids to feed and news programs to watch
they don’t have time
to stop.
A pair of shabby sneakers walk toward me.
They pause and with a steady plunk
drop four coins in my hat.
A cup of soup or steaming
mug of coffee.
Warmth will soon be in my possession.
Now I watch
as others pass by and
add a few more coins.
Do they know what joy the shiny tokens
give to eyes that only see
the dullness of the city?