86'D For Life Poem by Cory Fox

Who’s to blame for walking by
When it’s so easy not to care
Beneath a mop of tangled hair
Beneath a pale winter sky
How long can you avoid his stare?

His hair long and gray
His clothes soaked clear through
His hope worn away-
What was I to do?

I sat down and shook his hand and asked him for his name
He said, “My name is Lin, but I’m so tired of this game
If you want to play the saint, then save me from the rain! ”

I named a place for bowling and asked to step inside
His gaze fell to the ground. He shook his head, “I’ve tried”

“It’s like I’m no longer human…”

Two giggling girls, awaiting the bus home
A few coins short, if only then he’d known

No stranger himself to poor luck and poor health
He fished out of his pocket the last of his wealth
Unknowingly leaving not enough for himself

Out of money, out of time
He watched the tables turn
Asked this woman for a dime
To only meet her spurn

Without a word, she walked into that place
Found a guard, brought to him her strife
Spun lies which cut Lin like a knife
“You’ll leave in cuffs next time I see your face
‘Cause bud, you’re 86’d for life”