The Smile

The soles of his feet were gnarled, cracked, calloused shreds of flesh But tough in their stance as he sauntered and shuffled On two broken knees that never mended, clicking but muffled Walking like a misplaced puppet on the master's string While begging for his next meal, he would stand up and sing Barely able to hold his 'cup of good fortune' for passersby to fill and refresh His nerve damaged hands scarred, dirt ridden and unkempt Like a pair of lovesome cudgels reaching to battle the stars Barely able to grasp his "cup of fortune" or tote his life-in-a-bag His crooked shoulders and elbows bowed and bent Had lost their motility and strength years ago, his pain prolonging He was pieced together like his spent double breasted coat of midnight blue His body, his being was held together like a hand sewn quilt on worn shoes Like an old dog that had been lost for so long that he had forgotten His way home, he strayed wandering and wondering where and why So his journey languished to simply eat or sleep and sing or get high His most striking quality, his tenderness of heart,emanated from his smile Manifesting his love brilliantly placed in the eyes of others who would ask why? He imbued this purity of sweet sadness and gratitude, with humility This child of a lesser God possessed the greatest gift of all - tranquility He had found his peace April 15, 2020