I Did Not Want To See Poem by Carolyn Brunelle

He was tired; I could see
His hands were shaking and dirty.
How long since a good bath;
A decent meal, only he knew
If he could even remember.
Never looking up
When we passed,
He softly asked
If we could spare a buck or two.
A few steps later
I offered my husband a few dollars
To bring back to him.
I did not want to look into his face;
Know his story
Be embraced by his pain.
He did not want to look into mine;
Be confronted again with his shame.