In The Shadow Of The Viaduct

Photo by prestigiacomo.patricia, via Flickr

I gave to a homeless man.

Two pennies, a nickel, a couple of quarters

The jingling contents of my pocket

After twenty dollar tickets

And six dollar hot dogs

In the shadow of a viaduct

Cars roaring above

Stadium roaring behind

He saw me coming

Read my body language

Met me

As my family moved on ahead

Less than sixty cents

Practically nothing

And yet I touched his hand

Met his eyes

Bright and alive

Not dead

Not worn down

Surprisingly young

And I wonder what he thought

As he said thank you sweetheart

It’s still not enough.