Shame On Me -- In Both Audio and Text

Every day, ‘round 8 am, I climb up from the subway and pass a guy - a blind guy - who is there to beg for change. But one day, as I paused to watch him wave his cup around, I wound up spotting something I perceived as rather strange. A brisk November breeze unveiled, beneath the well worn blanket draped around his back and snugly tucked beneath his legs, What I clearly saw to be a brand new pair of shoes…not what I’d expect to see on one who --- sits and begs! Like I had so often, I again dug out a quarter to drop into what I could see was close to halfway full, Then hustled off - to be on time - but now a bit suspicious…reminded of the kinds of tricks I’d heard some beggars pull. Getting off at five that day, I chose to use the bus, and as we passed the subway stair...I’d say around 5:15... The begging guy had not yet left, and as the bus sat waiting, I watched -- in disbelief, until the traffic light turned green. Clearly unconcerned about if - passersby would notice - he drew the blanket tight across his lap and dumped the can, Then separated off the bills and spread the coins to sort them, and I would softly mumble, “What a devious little man!” Seeing him compute his earnings made me understand the dark black glasses weren’t required…the little fraud could see, And I began to wonder how a man could stoop this low, and what the easiest way to foil his evil ruse might be. Stunned by what I felt he’d done, “Tomorrow,” I proclaimed, “I’ll confront him…tell him what I saw…and call his bluff!” Intending to expose him seemed the proper thing to do, ‘cause simply - not affording him my help - was not enough. Getting up a wee bit early, aimed at making time for quizzing him concerning what I deemed to be near theft, And all the while I showered and shaved, tossing around the options I could use to flush him out, and - just before I left - Bound to let the countless souls who fell for - what he seemed - know that he’d deceived us, one and all, for all this time, I could feel the vengeful anger boiling up inside, and anxiousness to fin’ly make him answer for his crime. As I reached the stairway top, keeping to my purpose, I approached aggressively, enough that some nearby Quickly read the look I wore, and - sensing my disgust - paused to learn what strategy I’d found the nerve to try. “Good morning, sir,” I started out….“I always give a quarter, but all I’ve got this morning, I’m afraid’s, a dollar bill. But…if you’ll give me seven dimes - if I give you my dollar -- which, of course, will actually leave you thirty cents --- I will.” “Not a problem,” he proclaimed, “I’ve got lots of change,” then reached behind his back and lifted out a tiny box. “Things have been much better since the leaves have turned,” he said...“I got some brand new shoes last week, an’ I’m savin’ up for socks.” Instantly I zeroed in on what his - ‘leaves have turned’ - comment clearly verified...this con man wasn’t blind! “So…how’d ya’ know the leaves have turned,” I tried exposing him…“and…which of all your many coins are dimes…if you don’t mind?” “Pickin’ out the dimes ain’t hard - for those who’ve had to learn to - but when it comes to bills,” he quipped, “there ain’t no way to tell. An’ figurin' out the leaves ‘ve turned’s a piece o’ cake, my friend…‘cause I can hear the cracklin’ leaves...and actually taste the smell!” Still a little skeptical, I bent to try a tactic sure to make him show his hand - if what I thought was true. I whisked my hand before his eyes - expecting him to flinch and rear away by instinct, as most anyone would do. The sudden breeze I’d forced across his face betrayed my purpose - confirming my intent to prove his begging was a ruse - But - not so much as even twitching - with a sullen look - he made me know I’d hurt him with the ploy I’d chose to use. “Now I understand the reason why you asked your questions, about the turning leaves and how I know which coins are dimes. Of course -- you’re not the first to wonder -- ‘Is he blind or not’ -- and’s made a move to learn the truth…it’s happened many times, “An' as far as -- when a person that could easily hold a job - that has no true affliction - tries to fake it -- I’m with you… But, being partially paralyzed - and - as you now know - blind…I’ve yet to find a thing - for earning money - I can do. “My wheelchair,” he continued - “sittin’ there beside the news stand - gets me where I need to go, but needs a little work.” He pointed toward his chair, and - as my eyes began to water - I became aware that he was talking to --- a jerk! “Once a day the vendor on the corner sends a sandwich…and sometimes people give me things like donuts,” he explained. “Every penny counts, ya’ know, but when I bought new shoes, pretty close to everything I’d stashed away was drained. “The socks ‘ll prob’ly have to wait ‘til later on this fall ‘cause by the time I pay my rent, what’s left don’t go too far, And now that Winter’s closin’ in, there’ll be far fewer days that ain’t too cold for doin’ what I do than them that are. “But I can guarantee you, sir, as grateful as I am for all the contributions folks like you have given me, I’d give every penny back to only...stand and walk…and wake tomorrow morning to discover…I could see!”