SEE THE MAN


Cold air rising from the blanket
No movement, no sign of life
A breath now creeping out
Moisture gathering as the man exhales

Passerby's look and then look away
Not knowing how to respond
In the morning will he be gone
Vanishing from the world

The city is quiet
Stillness under the street light
The cement ice-like
Hard and unforgiving

What thoughts enter our minds
Compassion and pity
Do they give warmth
There go I .

Michael V Hechtman Copyright 2000