Right Behind You Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

I sleep behind you,
resting my head
and being silent
your entire night.
Yet, uninvited,
I suffer guilt
and wonder if
there ever be
a chance
for you
to notice me.
I walk around the mall,
see you
every day,
feeding the birds
sitting pretty
on a bench
at Pershing's Square.
It helps me dream
about the way
it could have been?
If for a fleeting moment
you could rest your eyes
(most beautiful of all)
in my direction
I would be,
a happy man.
But I am homeless,
have not shaved
nor do I smell
the way I used to.
I thank my God
that he allows me to
admire and adore
the great perfection
that is you.
And I will sleep
a dozen winks
behind you, dear.
You will not see
nor feel
that I am ever there.
But I,
I surely will.