Cupiditas And Caritas Poem by Glen Martin Fitch

At dusk
the city's restless crowd
begins to thin
into a park, or
cemetery,
beach or
alley way.
Each contemplating sins,
their need for love, and
hopes beyond their reach.
It's dangerous and yet
the drive is strong.
The risk of punishment,
attack or
shame
cannot detour
the longing to belong
the rapture
each one's seeking to proclaim.
This urge
will not be satisfied alone.
It seeks
another's touch,
one other soul,
a fellowship of wounded
seeking to atone
a hopeless life
with needs beyond control.
A shifting shadow lingers
with the wish another's foot
will dare complete a fish.