The Mirror

Today on the way into the liquor store, I saw a man on the curb with an unlit cigarette in his mouth. As I approached, he sat staring off into the distance. Blank, Tired, Drunk were all things that he appeared. He was a skinny sort , with a washed worn tank top on and loose cotton shorts. He raised an eyebrow to acknowledge my approach. “what’s up man” I said timidly. For his desperation both frightened me and intrigued me. “Nothing here man, just waiting for this rain to come“, he raised his cigarette to me in a cheering motion and continue to sit as I walked on to get my booze. “It was weird to both pity and admire someone I thought out loud as I walked away”