Dignity Poem by Deborah Downes

Unkempt dreadlocks and threadbare suit
he enters the subway car with confident stride
The smells of neglect clear a path for him
as though he were a king.

He takes a seat and with uplifted chin
he gazes without apology at onlookers
who pretend not to notice his grand entrance.

With deliberate slowness
he extracts a half-eaten candy bar
from a crumpled paper bag and
Fastidiously, he takes a bite
while brushing invisible crumbs from grimy jacket.

Poverty of circumstance has not diminished his dignity.