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Description
Clayton and I
sat underneath
our favorite
lonely tree
just off of
the rushing traffic
of the highway
that runs through
the small town

We both spot a man
in rags,
a drunk limp in his walk,
and a dirt-covered
olive-green bag
thrown over
his right
skin-and-bones
shoulder.

The first word to ring
In my head
as Clayton and I
process the
sad site;
Homless

"Probably wasted all
his money
on alcohol”,

I had leaned over
and hovered
my lips
near
Clayton’s ear.

But, his expression
wasn’t revealing
any hatred.

Instead of adding on to my
judgment
of the
Homeless man,
Clayton stands up,
fished out a 20
dollar bill
from his wallet,
walked up to
the man,
and held it out
to him.

The man’s face was as
dumbfounded
as mine.
He stared
blankly
at Clayton
unsure
what to do.

So my friend simply slipped
the bill
into the
man’s brittle
hand,
patted his
left boney
shoulder,
and walked
calmly
backed to me.

“Why did you give him
your money?
He’s just
going to
spend it on
booze”,
the words
tumble
out of
my mouth
and into
the warm
breeze.

“Then let him have
the booze.
It isn’t
the money
that matters,
it’s the
Hope.”

Description
Clayton and I
sat underneath
our favorite
lonely tree
just off of
the rushing traffic
of the highway
that runs through
the small town

We both spot a man
in rags,
a drunk limp in his walk,
and a dirt-covered
olive-green bag
thrown over
his right
skin-and-bones
shoulder.

The first word to ring
In my head
as Clayton and I
process the
sad site;
Homless

"Probably wasted all
his money
on alcohol”,

I had leaned over
and hovered
my lips
near
Clayton’s ear.

But, his expression
wasn’t revealing
any hatred.

Instead of adding on to my
judgment
of the
Homeless man,
Clayton stands up,
fished out a 20
dollar bill
from his wallet,
walked up to
the man,
and held it out
to him.

The man’s face was as
dumbfounded
as mine.
He stared
blankly
at Clayton
unsure
what to do.

So my friend simply slipped
the bill
into the
man’s brittle
hand,
patted his
left boney
shoulder,
and walked
calmly
backed to me.

“Why did you give him
your money?
He’s just
going to
spend it on
booze”,
the words
tumble
out of
my mouth
and into
the warm
breeze.

“Then let him have
the booze.
It isn’t
the money
that matters,
it’s the
Hope.”