The Homeless Gentleman

A homeless man I saw one autumn night. No blankets did he have as down fell snow. A coat he wore. I watched him pull it tight around his body. Colder it did grow. The other homeless on the street were few. I’m sure that to the shelters most had fled. But then appeared as if out of the blue a woman in whose sunken eyes lived dread. Perhaps there were no shelters to be found with extra beds that night. The woman laid her body down upon the cold hard ground. Beneath a store front’s awning she then stayed. The man went to the woman. Off his back he took his old worn coat. I could not hear his words! But chivalry he did not lack. She donned his coat before he’d disappear. An angel of the night or a mere man? Do angels shiver? As he passed me by, I thought to give him coins, but then he ran. To where? He vanished. I could only sigh. July 16, 2021 For the 'Touch My Heart' Poetry Contest of Regina McIntosh