Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Missed Opportunity

Situated on the sidewalk
With his back against the wall
Of Bank of America,
He stared. That’s all.

With frayed trousers,
A tattered shirt,
Worn sneakers
Covered with dirt—

He sat alone.
Only now and then
Did he look up...
And then stare again.

A striking contrast
To the passersby—
The Gucci dress,
The George Neale tie...

He held a sign;
“HUNGRY” it said,
Scribbled on cardboard,
Written in red.

His beseeching gaze
Seemed to convey
His hunger and pain.
I looked away.

Someone will give him
Enough for a meal,
I rationalized—
Trying not to feel.

I should have helped
The guy somehow;
Those imploring eyes
Still haunt me now.


By Bob B (6-18-14)