with a smile

he stands begging at the corner store clothing raggedy and dirty holding up a sign "NO FOOD, NO JOB, PLIZ HELP" WE throw small change at him and scorn 'why doesnt he get a job?' the disdain in our eyes does not move him he needs something to eat tonight we moan that all he'll get is drugs all he wants is the tranquility promised by the lure of intoxication he looks to our eyes as if trying to invoke mercy from our souls at times we walk on by as if he is a figment of our imagination the shop owner throws stale bread at him he bows his head and says thank you sir nobody knows his name nobody knows if he has dreams no one cares if he has a soul we are afraid to look to his eyes lest we see he too is a human being Hestands begging at the corner store with contempt we become charitable with a smile he shows gratitude.