Street Man Poem by Jim Boone

In a dirty leopard print shirt
Buttons straining
Color fading
A life wearing thin
From more than most
Would bear.

Orange hair
With dark intent
Crowned a road-worn face
And rough exterior
With hands on the take.

Turning to avoid his approach
Wanting to go
Could not budge
A fist full of dollars
Emptied
As eyes met
And hands hesitated
Then clasped.

'Bless you man'
I will always hear
Just before giving up
Giving in
Or turning away.

1994