Brother
I passed a homeless man on the walk.
"Too bad," I thought, not missing a beat.
I had important people with whom to talk,
and I was late for the executive suite.
I did catch a dimming in his worn face
and dismissed it as a natural reaction.
"Another loser," I said, "in the human race."
Thus I quieted my conscience by inaction.
The meeting's agenda was not clear.
We were simply told attendance was vital.
"Everyone here got a raise last year,"
the CEO began, "regardless of title."
All agreed they had been treated well.
Then I relived the homeless man's plight,
and a pain in my gut had a tale to tell.
"Raise hands if for charity you gave a mite."
No hands were raised, faces were red.
"You know our firm gives back to the city.
We give money, scholarships--enough said.
The fact you gave nothing is an ugly pity."
I saw again the homeless man on my way.
He embraced me tightly in a loving smother.
Handing him cash, I said "I hope this is OK."
In a tear-soaked voice, I heard him say,
"Thank, you brother."
Al
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