indigent irony
she …
was destitute …
cheeks dirtier than the bottom of
her bare, blistered feet
discolored streaks where tears
had traced clean paths …
clothes in mostly tatters and rips
ragged John Deere knit hat pulled over her ears
eyes half-hidden, purposely
and a one-sleeve-missing Members Only jacket
(ironic reflex shaking my head)
beside her on the sidewalk, a small cardboard
sign asked, “please”, only -
with a backward ‘s’
fighting for real estate with a
spattered orange wasteland of used
30G EasyTouch syringes
and tiny balls of scorched aluminum foil
glinting in the afternoon sun like
anesthetized breadcrumbs …
I stopped, reached into my pocket
and withdrew the Benjamin
bending over to tuck it under the sign so it
wouldn’t blow away
“hope this helps” I said
tagging it with a “God bless you” …
I had anticipated an exuberant reaction
maybe I even required it in some way
but I received not a sound
no ‘oh my god!’
no ‘thank you so much!’
no … anything …
I straightened up and stood there for a moment
letting the awkward silence build
and finally … a result -
the left corner of her mouth attempting a grin
or … something …
I stood a while longer
“you know,” I started, with that ‘here comes a
lecture’ tone of voice
but then changed my mind …
for I knew where the bread crumbs led
I knew the ‘trip’ ticket my c-note
was soon going to buy
and whatever bs-on-a-shingle sermon I was
about to force-feed this poor girl,
would not have changed
the destination …
one … cubic … centimeter.
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
