I Love You More

the three legged dog scrounging trash cans for a meal in Allentown, befriends the blind girl with her ragged doll, on her face a permanent frown. the mother in need of dangerous drugs, to make it through another day, sells her wasting body to those who seek, these desperate souls who’ve lost their way. soup kitchens filled with greasy men, who walk the unforgiving streets, their dreams lay shattered, their clothes all tattered, at night roll up in dirty sheets. the rich man rolls down the darkened window, of his long black limousine, and tosses quarters on the ground, and laughs at such a frantic scene, of children scrambling, fighting, biting, to get their measly share, to buy some candy at the grocery store, as puzzled people look and stare. as nightfall comes, the trucks roll in to wash the city streets, but cannot wash away the sadness here, that every day repeats. the organ grinder with his monkey spots the blind girl in the park, and puts a dollar in her hand, as the oriole whistles in the dark. the mother following close behind, extends her hand, asking for more, he hands another five, she thanks him, walks away and looks to score, another bag of crack cocaine, as the little girl starts to cry, “where is my little dog she asks”, the mother asks her why, “I want my doggie, it’s my friend, and it loves me the best”, her mother falls upon her knees, and holds her closely to her chest. “no darling, it’s me that loves you, loves you so much more”, together they run hand in hand, as the rain begins to pour. now in rehab she proudly claims “three years today and I’m still clean”, happy together now at home, mother, daughter, and the dog they named Aileen’